MCALESTER, Okla. — Spirit AeroSystems announced Thursday it will be closing its facility in McAlester.
The aviation company cited “the downturn in the commercial aviation market caused by the global pandemic” and the grounding of the 737 MAX as its reasons for deciding to close.
“We know this will be a hardship for our employees and the community, and we are committed to working with them through this transition,” Spirit AeroSystems said in a statement.
“As a result, we continue taking steps to restructure our company for a protracted market downturn, including consolidating certain operations.”
The lack of air travel during the coronavirus pandemic has taken its toll on air travel, thus reducing the demand for the manufacturing of their aircraft.
Spirit says it expects to begin moving work from its McAlester operations to its facilities in Tulsa and Wichita.