Several Cessna employees tell me they’re expecting more news about upcoming layoffs this week. Earlier this month, Cessna said it must cut 2,000 jobs systemwide as it revises its 2009 delivery schedule downward — the second round of cuts for the Wichita business jetmaker. The company plans to issue 60-day layoff notices, but so far has not said how many job cuts will be in Wichita, where 12,000 of the company’s 15,000 employees work. Nor has it handed out the notices. Stay tuned.
Daily Archives: Jan. 27, 2009
Aircraft supplier hints at Hawker 4000 delivery slowdown
Jan. 27, 200911:12 a.m.
It appears Hawker Beechcraft may be slowing deliveries of its Hawker 4000 business jet.
Moog Inc., a supplier to the business jet and other markets, said yesterday in a earnings conference call that its business jet product line showed a decline in the last quarter of 2008. Sales were down 18 percent, it said, “mostly having to do with the reduced level of shipments on the Hawker 4000. Although the company of Hawker Beechcraft insists that they are maintain (sic) their delivery schedule of this airplane, we’ve already delivered more hardware than they were able to use. So our effort has slowed down.”
The remarks were in an earnings call transcript. Among its products, Moog supplies fly-by-wire systems, leading edge and trailing edge flap acuation systems and stabilizer trim systems to business jet manufacturers, its website said.
Tiahrt, Brownback urges Dept. of Homeland Security to reconsider Large Aircraft Security Program
Jan. 27, 200910:45 a.m.
The Large Aircraft Security Program puts the general aviation industry — which employs 1.2 million people in the U.S. — at further economic risk, U.S.Rep. Todd Tiahrt and Sens. Sam Brownback and Pat Roberts said in a letter this week to the Department of Homeland Security.
“The last thing workers and aviation manufacturers need is more bureaucratic mandates that would cripple the industry,” Tiahrt said in a statement.
The industry and the TSA must work together to develop a plan that ensures every person is safe on board a plane, but also does not harm the general aviation industry, Brownback said.
In the letter, the three noted their concern that many of the proposed measures would create significant operational burdens on businesses that rely on general avition aircraft to conduct their business. “Without changes…, the TSA proposal could make it nearly impossible for some aircraft to operate at all,” the letter said. It suggests the Department reconsiders the program.
Backlash causes Citigroup to drop plans to buy $50 million business jet
Jan. 27, 200910:36 a.m.
Citgroup, which has received $45 billion in bailout money from the U.S. government, said it no longer plans to take delivery of a $50 million corporate jet it planned to buy. The jet on order wasn’t even a U.S. built one. According to the New York Post on Monday, Citigroup had ordered a new Dassault Falcon 7X business jet two years ago. On Monday, the New York Post said it planned to take possession of the new corporate jet, even after receiving billions in support from the federal government.
With all the backlash and a concerns from politicians worried about how banks receiving federal funds are spending the money, Citigroup is changing its tune, the Associated Press said today. “Citi has no intent to take delivery of any new aircraft,” it said in a statement.
