General aviation companies around the globe have been significantly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, with some manufacturers slashing workforces and others ceasing production completely.
With the GA industry plagued by uncertainty ahead of potential catastrophic lock downs, companies are reconfiguring to survive what is looming to be a greater challenge the industry's viability than the Global Financial Crisis.
Flying schools are assessing their ability to continue operating and still comply with government-mandated measures, whilst some airports around Australia are gearing-up for significantly reduced movement levels.
One of the largest GA company's in the world, Textron Aviation, will stand down around 7000 workers for four weeks in the 23 March – 31 May period. Textron makes the Cessna and Beechcraft range of aeroplanes as well as Bell helicopters.
Bell Helicopter is also offering flexible working arrangements including working remote and staggered work schedules to employees.
Canada's Viking Aircraft, manufacturer of the 400 series Twin Otter, has stopped production at its plant in Victoria, BC, and Calgary, Alberta. Around 40% of the company's workforce will be impacted.
"This is a period of considerable challenge for our industry and for our customers, and we must adapt to this new–hopefully temporary – reality,” said David Curtis, Executive Chairman, Longview Aviation Capital Corp, which owns Viking and De Havilland Canada.
“In this context, we will focus our efforts on supporting our customers’ existing in-service fleets and delivering the other services our companies provide to the global aviation industry. We will remain in close contact with our customers and continue to monitor the evolving situation. We will make further adjustments to our operations as required.”
De Havilland Canada has also stopped production of the Dash-8 400, impacting 800 employees.
Engine manufacturer General Electric, which builds engines for the Honda HA-420 and is behind the new turbo-prop engine to be fitted to the Cessna Denali, will stand down 10% of its workforce for three months, equating to 2500 employees.
"The aviation industry is feeling the impact of this global pandemic most acutely," said CEO Larry Culp. "The rapid contraction of air travel has resulted in a significant reduction in demand as commercial airlines suspend routes and ground large percentages of their fleets.
"As a result, GE Aviation is announcing several steps that, while painful, preserve our ability to adapt as the environment continues to evolve."
At Vero Beach, Florida, Piper Aircraft has taken the step of dedicating part of its workforce to making medical face masks to ease the shortage of critical medical supplies needed to fight COVID-19.
"This is a critical time for our community, our country and the world," said James Funk, Piper’s Chief Operations Officer. "It is a time for action, cooperation and collaboration. As a team, we can make a difference for people in need and directly support those fighting the battle on the front lines of this unprecedented crisis.
"This is just one small way that we are trying to help. We want healthcare providers, especially, and patients to be safe, therefore it’s vital that we all pull together to help our community, weather this crisis and come out the other side stronger than ever.”
Brazilian jet manufacturer Embraer has announced a program to produce parts for ventilators and respirators, replace imported components for ventilators, develop high-efficiency filtration systems for transforming regular hospital beds into intensive care beds and study methods of developing portable respirators aimed at rapid availability.
In Italy, one of the nations hardest hit by coronavirus, Leonardo Helicopters still has 70% of its employees showing up for work amidst on-going negotiations with unions.
"Leonardo is aware of the difficult moment that the country is experiencing," a statement released this week says. "We reaffirm our utmost commitment to guarantee all our workers the highest safety standard by fully respecting the prescriptions established by the government and also the further measures agreed with the trade unions through the protocol recently signed.
"Our sector is highly strategic and our aim is to ensure the production continuity but without any compromise on safety and health."