Boeing Announces Layoffs of Over 100 Employees in Florida Starting January 2025

Titusville, Florida — Boeing to Lay Off Over 100 Employees Starting January 2025

Boeing, the American aerospace giant, has announced plans to eliminate more than 100 jobs in Florida, affecting various locations across the state, including the **Space Coast**. According to the Florida Department of Commerce, the layoffs will begin on January 17, 2025.

Details of the Layoffs

The company officially declared that it would cut **141 positions** in total from its Florida operations. The layoffs will impact employees in several key areas, with **26 positions being reduced at the Kennedy Space Center**, alongside **20 in Titusville** and **one at Cape Canaveral**. It is important to note that the company has indicated that bumping rights will not apply, meaning affected employees are not able to displace others from their roles.

Background on Boeing’s Challenges

This announcement follows a series of setbacks for Boeing throughout 2024. The company faced high-profile incidents, including a **door detaching during a flight** with Alaska Airlines at an altitude of 16,000 feet, as well as ongoing issues surrounding the **Starliner capsule**, which has struggled with helium leaks and thruster problems.

Additionally, astronauts **Cmdr. Barry “Butch” Wilmore** and **pilot Sunita “Suni” Williams** were originally scheduled for a brief mission to the International Space Station during the Starliner’s inaugural test flight. However, these plans have changed significantly, as they will now be spending approximately **eight months** aboard the station, returning home via a competitor’s capsule from **SpaceX**.

Boeing’s Space Programs Under Scrutiny

Boeing remains a key player in the **Artemis moon program**, where they are responsible for constructing the core stage of the **Space Launch System (SLS)** rocket. This **212-foot-tall rocket** was notably involved in the uncrewed Artemis I mission to the moon in 2022. Recently, in July 2023, the core stage for the upcoming **Artemis II mission** was successfully delivered to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.

It is currently unclear how the impending layoffs will affect ongoing and future space programs that Boeing is associated with, raising concerns among stakeholders about the potential impacts on these critical projects.

Company’s Response

Spectrum News reached out to Boeing for further comments regarding the layoffs and their implications; however, no response has been received as of now. The company’s decisions come at a time when they are under scrutiny, dealing with multiple operational challenges while trying to uphold their commitment to significant space missions.

Conclusion

As the aerospace community watches closely, the ramifications of additional job cuts at Boeing could reverberate through the local economy and the broader aerospace industry in Florida. The upcoming months will be crucial as Boeing navigates these layoffs amidst its ongoing challenges.