Diehl Aviation has announced that it will cut up to 1,400 jobs in Germany by 2022 in response to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a statement, the supplier of cabin interiors and aircraft systems said that it expects the business volume in 2022 will be slightly more than half of 2019 sales levels.

It said: “Since the spring of 2020, the aviation industry has suffered a slump in demand by about half due to the fall-out from the corona pandemic. Airlines and aircraft manufacturers assume that it will take years to get to back to pre-crisis levels.”

The company plans to retain all of its sites in Germany and to employ around 4,000 people worldwide and 3,000 people in Germany.

It added that this will affect all divisions, sites and companies, albeit to varying degrees and to a different extent but that lay-offs due to restructuring should be avoided by taking socially acceptable steps, including partial retirement, volunteer program and other methods.

It also plans to develop new products and get involved in new projects. Among other things, these include product innovations for touch-less cabin functions in commercial aircraft, entering the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) market segment as well as taking part in the multi-national military Future Combat Air System (FCAS) project and also the development of sustainable lightweight materials as well as systems for flying with zero emissions.

Staff were informed about the company’s plans on 16 November. It concluded by saying that the aim is to conclude talks and commence restructuring measures in 2021.

“Diehl Aviation is determined to meet the current challenges with its concept for the future and to consolidate and further expand its role as a leading supplier in the aviation industry. The company aims to remain the preferred manufacturer of cabin interiors and aircraft systems for civil and military aircraft and helicopters in the future as well. This also includes services throughout the entire life cycle for airlines and customers in the services area.”