Embraer plans to cut another 900 employees from its Brazilian workforce, mainly from its commercial aviation division, in reaction to both flagging economic conditions caused by Covid-19 and its failed attempt to force a partnership with Boeing, the Brazilian airframer said Thursday. The cuts amount to a 4.5 percent adjustment to the company’s global workforce.  

According to Embraer, the commercial aviation division saw a 75 percent reduction in aircraft deliveries in the first half of the year compared with the same period a year earlier.  

“The situation worsened as a result of the duplication of structures associated with the carve-out of the company’s commercial aviation business in preparation for the partnership which was terminated at the initiative of Boeing, as well as the expectation that the air transport sector will not recover in the short- or medium-term,” said Embraer in a statement. 

The company added that it has adopted a series of measures to preserve jobs since the onset of the pandemic, including collective vacations, reduced working hours, furloughs, paid leave, and three voluntary dismissal plans (VDP). The company has also reduced face-to-face work at its industrial plants to help ensure the health of employees and business continuity. About 1,600 employees chose to participate in the VDPs in Brazil.