Lincoln, Neb.-based Duncan Aviation told workers on Monday about company-wide job cuts that will affect a total of 304 people — 170 in Lincoln, 122 in Battle Creek and Kalamazoo, Mich. and 12 from its satellite avionics and engine locations around the country. It is the first time the company has reduced its workforce in its 53-year history. Chairman Todd Duncan noted that the current global economic recession “has been drastically different for our industry from any other recession we have seen. The sharp decline in flying by companies that own business aircraft combined with global business closings, reductions in spending and political grandstanding against our very livelihoods has created an environment that has left us no choice but to downsize.” Noting that the company tried reducing hours and implementing wage cuts in an attempt to avoid layoffs, company officials said it quickly became apparent that 2009 is going to be a down year for the industry, forcing the job cuts. President Aaron Hilkemann says that a number of services will be available for employees who lose their jobs, adding that at this time, Duncan has not “has not altered its planned Utah expansion.”
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