Strike at Textron Aviation set to delay aircraft deliveries

Cessna Denali production line

Workers at Textron Aviation’s Wichita factories are on strike.  Unless the strike ends quickly it could reduce the company’s key fourth quarter deliveries. 

Members of the IAM District 70, Local Lodge 774 union have rejected a proposed four-year contract and instead voted to strike.

“The contract offer, which took six weeks of thoughtful and good-faith negotiations by both the Union and the company negotiating committees, provided a plan that aimed to protect the future of all Textron Aviation employees and the Wichita community,” said Textron Aviation in a statement.  “No one benefits from a strike, and the company has made every effort to avoid one. However, as would be expected of any responsible business, the company has prepared for this scenario to ensure the business continues to operate for customers.”

“No one benefits from a strike”

The strike comes at a time when business jet manufacturers are still struggling to increase production.  Textron Aviation delivered 42 jets in the second quarter of this year, down from  44 in the same three months of 2023. It shipped 44 commercial turboprops in the second quarter, up from 37 last year.

The aircraft manufacturer delivered 78 aircraft in the first six months of 2024, down one on 2023. It needs to deliver 120 aircraft in the last six months to match 2023 deliveries. Textron typically delivers the most jets in the fourth quarter of the year. In 2023 it delivered 50 jets, down from 52 in the last quarter of 2022. 

Textron Aviation had a $7.5bn backlog at the end of June.