On June 4, Spirit AeroSystems received a letter from Boeing asking it to pause additional work on four 737 MAX shipsets and avoid starting production on sixteen additional units due for delivery in 2020.
The move comes after Boeing announced that it was laying off 12,000 workers, and despite restarting production of the troubled MAX it the US airframe maker has agreed to a number of cancellations for the aircraft from both airlines and lessors.
Spirit said that on the content of the letter and discussions with Boeing meant it would not reach the predicted 125 shipset target for 2020.
As a result of the pause in MAX production Spirit is putting a number of employees on three weeks unpaid from June 15.
In addition, Spirit will declare an immediate reduction of the hourly workforce in Tulsa and McAlester, effective June 12.
“Spirit remains a proud partner on the 737 MAX program and looks forward to working with Boeing to ensure the long-term success of the program,” said the firm in a statement announcing the production pause.