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Everett, Washington: Boeing has announced another round of layoffs, affecting more than 900 employees in Washington and California. This move comes after a round of cuts in November and is part of the company’s aim to slash 17,000 jobs worldwide, or roughly 10% of its staff.
Nearly 400 positions will be eliminated in Washington, hitting sites in Everett and Renton, which have traditionally served as Boeing production hubs. Meanwhile, over 500 positions will be cut in California, with layoffs concentrated in key areas such as Long Beach and El Segundo, which are critical to Boeing’s innovation and testing activities.
The causes for these reductions are a combination of financial difficulties and operational challenges. Boeing has had supply chain delays, sluggish manufacturing timetables for projects such as the 777X passenger jet, and a major $6.2 billion loss in the third quarter of 2024.
Adding to these constraints is the lasting impact of the 737 Max issue, which resulted in two disastrous crashes—Lion Air Flight 610 in October 2018 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 in March 2019. These crashes, triggered by a defective software system, grounded the 737 Max for nearly two years and revealed severe flaws in Boeing’s design and certification processes. The mishaps sparked significant investigations and legal fights, which harmed Boeing’s reputation and profits.
This latest round of layoffs adds to the 3,500 jobs lost in November 2024 spanning states such as Missouri, Arizona, and South Carolina. With these losses, entire communities dependent on Boeing’s presence are bracing for economic fallout. Local businesses in Everett and Long Beach rely largely on the company’s workers, thus a drop in size is projected to impact housing markets and limit spending in these locations.
To help facilitate the transition, Boeing has promised impacted workers severance benefits, career assistance, and short-term health insurance for up to three months. Still, a lot of professionals are left wondering about their future. A seasoned Everett assembly specialist once remarked, “You build your career here thinking it’s secure.” “Now, we’re curious about what comes next.”
For Boeing, the focus remains on stabilizing its operations, rebuilding trust, and delivering on delayed projects.
Stay tuned to Aviation Today for more news and updates.
