British Aerospace is closing a production site and laying off 2,200 workers. Dunsfold, home to Harrier final assembly, will close with the loss of 800 jobs. The rest of the cuts will come mainly from Brough, Chadderton, Warton and Samlesbury sites.
Dunsfold's closure follows the wind-down of Harrier production for the Royal Air Force and of Sea Harrier work for the Royal Navy. The site, which is leased and will not therefore bring a sale windfall, will close late next year.
BAe's move follows Boeing and Lockheed Martin decisions to cut their workforces. Lockheed Martin is cutting employment at its Marietta plant by 2,000 from 9,500 to reduce overheads on the C-130J and F-22 programmes. Boeing, facing the end of its F-15 Eagle line and the switch from F/A-18C/D to E/F production, is shedding up to 7,000 jobs at St Louis.
Source: Flight International
