Textron Aviation Extends Furloughs, Reduces Workweeks

Textron Aviation will be extending the rolling, four-week furloughs of U.S.-employees that it announced March 18 and implementing reduced workweeks for others later this month, the Wichita-based airframer announced today. The duration of the furloughs and details of the reduced workweeks will vary by position and location.

Efforts to slow the spread of the Covid-19 virus combined with global economic instability are making it difficult for customers to purchase, take delivery, and operate aircraft, leading to this latest action, Textron Aviation said in a statement. “We are making proactive decisions that focus our resources, care, and concern on our workforce and our customers during this unprecedented time,” according to Textron Aviation president and CEO Ron Draper.

The manufacturer of Beechcraft and Cessna aircraft employs 10,000 in Kansas—the bulk of whom are in Wichita—and a total of 12,000 in the U.S. Workers’ employment status and health benefits will not change during the period, according to the company. Implementation of additional cleaning and social distancing protocols to mitigate the spread of the virus continues, it added.