Two companies announced plans today to cut almost 140 jobs in Northern Ireland.
BE Aerospace (UK) Ltd employs 563 people at plant in Kilkeel, Co Down. It said today it wants to shed 88 of these jobs.
A spokesman confirmed the industry continues to experience the effects of the recession. International airlines have reported a decline in passenger numbers and prices, particularly in business class.
“The impact of this on the Kilkeel facility is the continued phasing of customer orders whereby orders are being pushed out through 2009 and possibly beyond,” he said. “The company in response to these market forces must reduce the number of employees at the Kilkeel site.”
The company will immediately begin consultations with employee representatives.
Earlier, an east Belfast engineering company folded with the loss of about 50 jobs.
Central Group Services was one of Northern Ireland’s leading providers of mechanical and electrical services such as central heating and air conditioning installation and maintenance.
The company, which was established in 1994, blamed the current recession for the move.