Boeing has reportedly laid off up to 180 employees from its India Engineering Technology Center (BIETC) in Bengaluru as part of a broader global workforce reduction strategy. The layoffs, which took place during the December quarter of 2024, are a result of the company’s ongoing efforts to streamline operations and cut costs amid mounting challenges worldwide. This move impacts a fraction of Boeing’s approximately 7,000-strong workforce in India, a country that remains critical to the aerospace giant’s global operations and future growth plans.
A source familiar with the situation revealed that the workforce reduction is part of a strategic realignment targeting specific roles while ensuring that Boeing’s core commitments to customers, government contracts, safety, and quality remain unaffected. The source further mentioned that while some positions were eliminated, the company has simultaneously created new roles aligned with emerging technological and business requirements, highlighting a shift in priorities rather than an outright downsizing of operations.
Boeing has yet to issue an official statement on the Bengaluru layoffs. However, the company has been facing intense headwinds globally, including production setbacks, ongoing regulatory scrutiny, supply chain disruptions, and a turbulent recovery in the aviation industry. These challenges have pushed Boeing into restructuring efforts that involve trimming non-essential roles and optimizing operational costs across its international workforce.
The Boeing India Engineering & Technology Center (BIETC) in Bengaluru, alongside its counterpart in Chennai, plays a pivotal role in the company’s advanced aerospace research and development. Engineers at these centers work on high-tech projects, including digital flight simulations, avionics, materials research, and autonomous aviation technologies — contributing directly to the design and manufacturing of Boeing’s commercial and defense aircraft.
Boeing’s presence in India extends beyond engineering. The company’s fully-owned technology campus in Bengaluru is one of its largest investments outside the United States. Additionally, Boeing sources approximately USD 1.25 billion worth of components and services annually from over 300 Indian suppliers, supporting a range of critical operations from aerostructures to software development and flight control systems.
Despite the layoffs, Boeing’s leadership reportedly remains committed to India as a long-term strategic partner. The country continues to be a significant market for Boeing’s commercial aircraft, particularly with Indian airlines placing large orders to meet rising domestic and international air travel demands. Boeing also supports key defense contracts with the Indian government, supplying military platforms like the P-8I maritime patrol aircraft, Apache attack helicopters, and Chinook heavy-lift helicopters.
The layoffs, though limited in scale, underscore the tough decisions Boeing faces as it navigates a rapidly evolving aviation landscape. The company appears focused on striking a balance — reducing costs to stay competitive while safeguarding critical engineering capabilities that fuel innovation and sustain its commitments to customers and defense partners worldwide.
