Boeing delays first 777X delivery to 2026, lays off 17,000 employees
In a message sent to Boeing employees, Kelly Ortberg – President and CEO – has announced the company will lay off 17,000 workers(about 10 percent of the total workforce) and will delay the first 777X delivery to 2026.
“On the 777X program, the challenges we have faced in development, as well as from the flight test pause and on-going work stoppage, will delay our program timeline. We have notified customers that we now expect first delivery in 2026, stated Ortberg in her message. “We plan to build and deliver the remaining 767 Freighters ordered by our customers and then conclude production of the commercial program in 2027. Production for the KC-46A Tanker will continue.”
Regarding the layoffs, Boeing’s CEO said: “We must also reset our workforce levels to align with our financial reality and to a more focused set of priorities. Over the coming months, we are planning to reduce the size of our total workforce by roughly 10 percent. These reductions will include executives, managers and employees. Next week, your leadership team will share more tailored information about what this means for your organization. Based on this decision, we will not proceed with the next cycle of furloughs.”
Ortberg concluded: “Thank you for all that you are doing through this very challenging time at Boeing. We will navigate through this moment. We will re-focus our company, and we will restore trust with all those who depend on us.”