Bombardier is laying off 1,700 aerospace workers, 1,100 in Montreal and 600 in Wichita, because of slow sales and delays in the CSeries airliner and Learjet 85 programs. Last week, the Canadian planemaker announced the CSeries wouldn’t be ready for its first deliveries until the last half of 2015, and a few days later it said the schedule for the 85 was being pushed back too. The Learjet 85’s first flight was supposed to happen in 2013 and Bombardier is hoping it will occur “in the coming weeks,” according to a report in the Montreal Gazette.
Meanwhile, Bombardier reported it took 19 percent fewer orders for business and commercial aircraft in 2013 compared to 2012. In announcing the layoffs, officials told staff the company has to conserve cash while it gets a handle on the new programs and the market improves. Temporary and permanent staff in manufacturing, assembly, engineering and sales will get the pink slips.
