Spirit AeroSystems McAlester Facility
Due to the downturn in the commercial aviation market caused by the global pandemic and the effect on our business from the grounding of the 737 MAX, Spirit AeroSystems now has an excess of production capacity across our global operations. As a result, we have made the difficult decision to close our facility in McAlester, Oklahoma. We know this will be a hardship for our employees and the community, and we are committed to working with them through this transition.
The fall-off in airline travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic has reduced overall demand for new commercial airplanes. In a matter of months, Spirit’s production rates for commercial aircraft fell from historic highs to much lower volumes. Airline travel, and corresponding demand for new airplanes, is not returning as fast as expected at this point. As a result, we continue taking steps to restructure our company for a protracted market downturn, including consolidating certain operations.
Over the next several months, Spirit will begin moving the work currently performed by our McAlester operations to our facilities in Tulsa and Wichita, and a residual amount will be placed with our regional suppliers.
The fall-off in airline travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic has reduced overall demand for new commercial airplanes. In a matter of months, Spirit’s production rates for commercial aircraft fell from historic highs to much lower volumes. Airline travel, and corresponding demand for new airplanes, is not returning as fast as expected at this point. As a result, we continue taking steps to restructure our company for a protracted market downturn, including consolidating certain operations.
Over the next several months, Spirit will begin moving the work currently performed by our McAlester operations to our facilities in Tulsa and Wichita, and a residual amount will be placed with our regional suppliers.
