Airbus to cut 10%+ workforce

Airbus plans to cut 15,000 jobs, more than 10 percent of its workforce, over the next year. Cuts will be mostly in Europe, as Airbus struggles with the financial hit of the coronavirus pandemic. “With air traffic not expected to recover to pre-COVID levels before 2023 and potentially as late as 2025, Airbus now needs to take additional measures,” the company said in a statement. Airbus, with 134,000 workers worldwide, plans to trim 5,000 workers in France, 5,100 in Germany, 1,700 in Britain, 900 in Spain and 1,300 others at Airbus facilities elsewhere. The company said it would try to reduce the number of layoffs through voluntary departures, early retirement and long-term partial employment programs. (Sources: multiple, including Airbus, Economic Times, CNN Business, 06/30/20) The company's worldwide operations include China, where it builds A320s, and Mobile, Ala., where it builds A320 and A220 jetliners at the Mobile Aeroplex. Airbus Military has a maintenance, repair and overhaul operation and component repair facility at Mobile Regional Airport. Airbus also builds helicopters in Columbus, Miss. It is unclear what impact might be felt in Airbus operations in this region, but they are among the "other worldwide sites" mentioned in the press release.