Gregory Polek has spent his entire career in aviation journalism with AIN, starting as a proofreader and assistant to then-managing editor Mary Mahoney in 1995 after serving an internship with&nbsp;New Jersey Monthly&nbsp;magazine and completing his B.A. degree in English/Writing at New Jersey’s William Paterson College. By 1997 Polek accepted a position as an associate editor, covering the regional airline beat for&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;in place of retiring industry veteran Don Anderson. The assignment took Polek across North America and Europe to profile regional airlines varying in size and mission from the likes of floatplane operators Kenmore Air and Chalk’s Ocean Airways to regional jet operators such as SkyWest and American Eagle. Today, in his dual role as Air Transport Editor and International Airshow Editor, Polek writes, edits, and manages AIN’s commercial aviation content while overseeing each of the company’s daily international air show publications in Paris, Farnborough, Singapore, and Dubai. Most recently Polek has assumed oversight of daily coverage of the Helicopter Association International’s annual Heli-Expo convention.

Senior Editor

Gregory Polek

Boeing Commercial Airplanes plans to continue shrinking its workforce in 2017 following an 8 percent cut in employment this year as “near-term hesitation” in the widebody market prompts it to accelerate cost-cutting measures. In a letter to employees sent on Monday, Boeing vice chairman Ray Conner and Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Kevin McAllister referred to efforts to reduce both “non-labor costs” and employee count through a combination of attrition, leaving open positions unfilled “where appropriate” and voluntary layoffs. However, they also warned of involuntary layoffs “where needed and in some circumstances.”

 


Boeing said employees who participate in the voluntary layoff plan will receive a lump sum equal to a week's pay for each year of service up to 26 years.

 


The most recent announcement comes only a week after the company said it would <a href="http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2016-12-12/boeing-details-latest-777-production-rate-cut">cut 777 production rates to five units</a> a month in August, resulting in the loss of a still undetermined number of jobs and a “modest” effect on financial results this year.

 


Now building 8.3 of the twin-engine widebodies per month, Boeing had already announced a rate reduction to seven next year to compensate for weakening demand for the legacy 777 as the company prepares to transition production to the new 777X. A production rate of five per month effectively translates into a delivery rate of 3.5 as Boeing institutes plans to “fire blanks” down the line as part of its “Lean” implementation and dedicate some airplanes to 777X flight testing.

 


“The recent 777 rate-reduction announcement is the latest sign that the market is signaling near-term hesitation for twin-aisle aircraft in certain regions,” said Monday’s letter. “But it also illustrates the dynamic business climate in which we currently operate, &nbsp;an environment characterized by fewer sales opportunities and tough competition.

 


“We continue to follow our plan announced earlier this year to make fundamental changes to win in the market, fund our growth and operate as a healthy business,” it continued. “Teams across Commercial Airplanes have been focusing on the ‘Keys to Winning’ to improve first-time quality, productivity and safety and reduce waste.&nbsp;We reduced total employment this year mostly through attrition, not backfilling open positions, and voluntary layoffs.&nbsp;We achieved further supply chain savings, sought ways to more efficiently manage use of our facilities and cut discretionary spending, including travel and other non-production costs.”

 


Last year’s employment cuts included 10 percent of Boeing's management staff.

 


The company said it would share information on staffing plans with employees “soon.”

 


The Boeing statement follows Airbus Group’s announcement that it will progressively cut 1,164 jobs as part of its planned integration scheduled for January 1. Those reductions will mainly affect support and “integrated functions” and positions in the Chief Technology Office (CTO) organization, it added.&nbsp;&nbsp;The company has set a target of mid-2017 to reach agreements with its employee groups on appropriate “social measures,” such as voluntary departures, redeployments and early retirements.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Boeing Commercial Warns of More Job Cuts in 2017

Plans call for continuation of cost-cutting moves that will see BCA employment drop by 8 percent this year

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

We went flying in a SR22 G7+ to experience it ourselves.

The Cirrus SR Series G7+ Is the First Autoland-equipped Piston Aircraft

Amy Wilder

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Avionics, human factors drive next phase of flying

CJ4 Gen3 P1 Jet Joins Textron Flight Test Program

Hanneke Weitering

Team USA and LA28 organizers sign exclusive deal with Archer Aviation

Archer Named ‘Official Air Taxi Provider’ for 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles

Matt Thurber

S-512 promises “low-boom” Mach 1.6 travel

Spike Aerospace Resurfaces Supersonic Bizjet Candidate

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

German start-up Vaeridion is now getting support from the automotive division of Bosch

Electric Microliner Makes Pitch To Be a Travel Disruptor 

Curt Epstein

Since October, the group has spent 750 hours on the effort

Learjet Restoration Project To Move into NDT Phase

Pilots can enjoy modern safety enhancements in a 1930's-inspired package.

With a Design Refresh, Junkers Aircraft A50 and A60 Still Honor Germany’s Rich Aviation Heritage

Charles Alcock

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

More In Aircraft