Only 367 Of Proposed 900 So Far This Year

Boeing says better than expected business has saved jobs at its Wichita plant. The company released 367 people so far this year with 28 more receiving 60-day layoff notices.

That's a far cry from the 900 layoffs in 2006 Boeing proposed last April.

Boeing Wichita spokesman Jarrod Bartlett told the Wichita Eagle "Customer requirements made us keep a few more people on board than we anticipated. Things are always changing."

The company says there may be more cuts to come, but it doesn't know how many or when.

Citing a review of the current and future defense budgets, Boeing's original job cut schedule called for 360 layoffs in April, 240 by the end of June and another 300 in November.

The company said significant shifts in defense customers' budgets forced the job cuts in Wichita.

But those shifts haven't caused as much of a reduction in work at the plant as Boeing anticipated. Additionally, new customer requirements have helped keep thing running.

Last Monday the USAF awarded Boeing a $7.2 million contract to upgrade monitors used by weapons officers on B-52 Stratofortress bomber aircraft.

"This shows a lot of effort by the U.S. Air Force to continue flying the B-52," said Bartlett. "It's been flying for 40 years and they're still making it a relevant aircraft for today's warfighting needs."

Another recently approved contract has the Wichita plant supplying spare engine cowlings for E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft. That contract is worth $7.8 million.

FMI: www.boeing.com