Cessna Unit To Lay Off 2,000

January 13, 2009

Cessna Aircraft, the world's largest maker of corporate jets, plans to lay off 2,000 people -- about 13 percent of its work force -- by March, a spokesman said on Monday.

Cessna spokesman Doug Oliver said the new move was the result of falling demand for light jets in the face of a deepening worldwide recession.

"People taking delivery of new aircraft are canceling or delaying and new orders are slowing globally," Oliver said.

Wichita, Kansas-based Cessna employs 15,000 people worldwide.

Textron last month warned Wall Street that it expects to report a net loss for the fourth quarter as it drastically scales back its finance business.

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