Aircraft maker Boeing has said it will lay off between 20,000 and 30,000 workers in its commercial jet unit by the end of 2002 as a result of dwindling orders.
Boeing had been expected to cut its forecasts for aircraft deliveries as a result of weakness among US airlines, which had been exacerbated by hijack attacks on US landmarks last week.
The planned job cuts would cover all jet models and be spread across Boeing's various commercial jet sites, where 96,600 people design and build airplanes, including many airframe components, as well as a business unit that provides support services.
Boeing said it would press ahead with the development of strategic, next-generation aircraft, such as the high-speed sonic cruiser jet, even as it considered delaying some upgrades to current aircraft models.
The company also said it was working closely with the US government to improve jet safety and that an internal initiative was already underway to solicit and review ideas submitted by Boeing engineers.
"After 31 years designing airplanes ... I never in my wildest dreams thought a commercial jet would be used as a weapon," a Boeing spokesman said.