One Aviation, the company that includes both Eclipse Aviation and Kestrel, announced layoffs late last week. The job cuts reflect the phaseout of production for the EA550 twinjet, which is being replaced by the new EA700 “Project Canada” aircraft, the company said in a statement. “As we transition through the development stages of the highly anticipated EA700 serieswe made the very difficult, yet necessary, decision to reduce our workforce,” said CEO Alan Klapmeier. The workforce reduction affects employees in Albuquerque, Chicago, Wisconsin and Maine, media spokesperson Linda McDonough told AVweb in an email on Tuesday. Kestrel’s efforts in Wisconsin and Maine havestalled, according to recent reports.
It’s the second round of layoffs this year, according to the Albuquerque Journal. The company wouldn’t say how many workers were affected, or how many staffers remain. “The company continues to explore strategic partnerships and investment in the future growth of the EA700 series,” according to the news release. One Aviation also said they continue to provide engineering, maintenance, service and support for the Eclipse 500 and Eclipse 550 fleet.
