Boeing will move at least 800 jobs to Oklahoma City

Oklahoma City likely will get at least 800 jobs, the majority coming from Wichita — with others coming from Puget Sound, Wash.

In a news release issued Wednesday morning, the company announced it will be closing its Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS) plant in Wichita by late 2013.

The plant employs 2,160 employees, and the company intends to move remaining aircraft maintenance, modification and support work at Wichita to its operation in San Antonio, while remaining engineering work will be moved to Oklahoma City.

“The decision to close our Wichita facility was difficult but ultimately was based on a thorough study of the current and future market environment and our ability to remain competitive while meeting our customers' needs with the best and most affordable solutions,” said Mark Bass, vice president and general manager for BDS' Maintenance, Modifications & Upgrades division. “We recognize how this will affect the lives of the highly skilled men and women who work here, so we will do everything possible to assist our employees, their families and our community through this difficult transition.”