Aircraft manufacturer Embraer is laying off 900 employees in Brazil, the equivalent of 4.5% of its global workforce, according to a Sept. 3 statement.  

Embraer said the decision is based on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the termination of the planned partnership with Boeing in the commercial aircraft market. Embraer's executive aircraft division was not affected, a spokeswoman said. 

Embraer Commercial Aviation saw deliveries decline by 75% in the first six months of 2020 compared to 2019. The company does not expect the market to recover in the short- to medium-term. The situation has been made worse by the planned carve-out of the commercial aviation unit from the group because it led to double structures that are no longer needed as it is re-integrated into the company.  

Around 1,600 employees have already taken advantage of so-called voluntary dismissal plans. The company has furloughed an unspecified number of employees.