The global economic crisis has hit Boeing employees. As many as 4,500 of them or 6.6 percent of commercial-aircraft workforce would be rendered jobless.

The lay offs would chiefly be applicable in Washington state, Boeing’s manufacturing hub. They would take place in the second quarter. The employees would be given a notice of 60-days beginning in late February. The job cuts would not focus and affect the aircraft production sector.

Scott Carson, the head of Boeing Commercial Airplanes wrote in an email,.

"Our customers are cutting back on capacity by parking older airplanes, reducing orders for spares and taking other steps to deal with the current business environment," he wrote. "In addition, Commercial Airplanes delivered fewer airplanes than projected and rescheduled the 787 Dreamliner and the 747-8 development programs. To stay ahead of these challenges, we are taking prudent actions to make sure Commercial Airplanes remains well positioned in today's difficult economic environment."

He also elaborated that the company was taking steps to remain well positioned in the difficult times.

The layoffs that have already been announced include union and non-union workers. There were also chances of the employees being called back to work again.