Washington – Boeing disclosed plans to cut five percent of its commercial airplane workforce, with layoffs expected at its Renton and Everett factories in Western Washington. The move, reported by KHQ, is intended to better match staffing with the current production pace of the 737 Max line.

Stephanie Pope, who leads commercial aircraft at Boeing, said the company will use a combination of attrition and layoffs starting in December. “We need to align our workforce with the production reality we face today,” Pope explained, according to KHQ.

The adjustment follows Boeing’s earlier goal of building 52 Max aircraft per month in the second half of 2027. The company has struggled to raise output quickly enough to meet that target, prompting a reassessment of its production schedule.

CEO Kelly Ortberg told KHQ that a more realistic and stable target is 47 planes per month. He noted that achieving that level would require fewer employees, reinforcing the decision to reduce staff.

As of October, Boeing’s backlog included nearly 5,000 Max aircraft, indicating continued demand for the model despite the production challenges. The backlog figure was also cited by KHQ.

The announced layoffs will affect workers at both the Renton and Everett sites, two of the region’s major aerospace facilities. While the exact number of positions to be eliminated was not disclosed, the five‑percent reduction applies to Boeing’s commercial airplane workforce nationwide.

Local officials and community leaders have expressed concern about the impact on families in the area, emphasizing the importance of supporting displaced workers through job‑placement services and training programs. The administration has encouraged businesses to make prudent adjustments that safeguard long‑term stability.

What’s next: Boeing plans to begin the attrition and layoff process in December. Employees and community members are awaiting further details on the timeline and support resources that will be made available.

Sources: khq.com