In a move that underscores the turbulent times at one of the world’s largest aerospace companies, Boeing has laid off up to 180 employees from its Boeing India Engineering and Technology Center (BIETC) in Bengaluru. The job cuts come as part of a broader global downsizing effort aimed at “right-sizing” the American aerospace giant amidst ongoing economic headwinds.
The layoffs, confirmed to TOI by Dr Brendan Nelson, Boeing’s Senior Vice President and President of Boeing Global, affect a small fraction of Boeing’s 7,000-strong workforce in India—most of whom are stationed at its engineering hubs in Bengaluru and Chennai.
“We are right-sizing the company. As part of that, 150–180 Boeing employees in India have been laid off,” Nelson told the media.
Nelson emphasised that Boeing still sees India as a strategic market for talent and production, even in light of the layoffs. He continued, “We’ve taken great care to make sure that none of the roles affected will impact customers, government projects, or safety-critical operations.”
Not Just Cuts, But Realignment
The management of the company maintained that even though some positions have been cut, recruitment goes on in other areas. The reorganization, they explained, is a realignment on the basis of operational requirement and evolving business priorities.
“There are areas where we are still growing,” Nelson pointed out. “We have retained people in roles linked to customer delivery, safety, and quality, and we’re hiring where we see future capability needs.”
Globally, Boeing is reducing its headcount by about 10%, nearly 17,000 positions. The company now aims to stabilise at around 162,000 employees worldwide, with about 24,000 located outside the US. Interestingly, India accounts for over a quarter of Boeing’s overseas staff.
India Remains a Strategic Pillar
The Bengaluru and Chennai centres handle “complex advanced aerospace work” and are central to Boeing’s global engineering footprint. Its Bengaluru campus, operational only in January 2024, is touted as one of the company’s most significant investments outside the US.
Nelson further noted that when combining Boeing’s direct employees with its network of about 320 supply chain partners in India, the aerospace firm’s total footprint in the country climbs to around 14,000.
While the current layoffs have raised concerns among employees and industry watchers, Boeing stressed that the cuts are part of a deliberate and cautious strategy to adjust to the company’s financial reality without compromising core functions.
Eye on Production and Delivery Stability
The company, which has been navigating turbulence following production setbacks and safety scrutiny, is keen on restoring its reputation and stabilising operations. Boeing President and CEO Kelly Ortberg – who took charge in August 2024 – has prioritised delivery execution and operational stabilisation across its global units.
Ortberg made India one of his first international stops after assuming leadership, signalling the country’s importance in Boeing’s long-term roadmap. “He was deeply impressed by the people and the complexity of work being done here,” said Nelson.
Ortberg’s focus has been on regaining control of production timelines—an issue that has plagued deliveries to Indian customers like Air India and Akasa. The delay in aircraft deliveries has prompted airlines to call for quicker resolutions as passenger demand rebounds.
Hope Amid Restructuring
Boeing’s management still maintains guarded optimism. With India becoming more and more pivotal to the company’s international aspirations, executives suggested that the number of employees in the country may increase again as plane manufacturing picks up speed.
“We will continue to grow in India,” said Nelson. “What we’re doing now is ensuring our resources are aligned to the areas we need most. This is not a retreat; it’s a recalibration.”
Although the trend seems to be a global as per reports, since 10% of the total workforce is to be laid off amid restructuring.
As the world’s aerospace sector converges to new post-pandemic realities and supply chain realities, Boeing’s actions in India will be closely monitored—not only by its employees but also by government stakeholders and airline buyers who are eagerly awaiting aircraft deliveries.
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