Bombardier Business Aircraft is planning a series of temporary “pauses” of Global 5000 and 6000 completions in Montreal as it continues to manage costs, the Canadian aircraft manufacturer confirmed to AIN today. The pauses “are really minor adjustments on a small scale,” said a spokesman, emphasizing that the company will honor customer commitments. But it comes as the business aircraft market remains somewhat sluggish and follows a decision by Bombardier last year to slow production of its classic Globals.

Bombardier is not revealing specifics about the pauses, nor is it tying the action to production rates. But the spokesman said the pauses would occur over the next year and added that the company is working with its labor unions to minimize effects on employees.

The move, he said, is separate from the company’s decision to begin transferring some workers from Learjet programs to other programs in Wichita. That effort will involve some layoffs. Also separately, Bombardier had implemented a "workforce optimization plan" throughout the company earlier this year. That plan is having an effect on all Bombardier lines, including the Challengers.

Bombardier's business jet deliveries were down by 19 in the first half, to 73 aircraft.