Cessna rehiring 200 laid-off workers

Cessna Aircraft Co. is calling back 200 workers it laid off earlier this year as the company resumes production of its Citation Sovereign business jet.

The Wichita aircraft maker also is ramping up its new Citation CJ4 business jet.

Cessna spokesman Robert Stangarone said Thursday the Wichita workers will return in January. The move will not affect the Independence plant.

Stangarone said the rehires should be viewed as fine-tuning program requirements and not a sign the business jet market is significantly improving. He says Cessna still expects a very challenging 2010.

About 6,000 workers have been laid off in Wichita, and 8,000 workers companywide, since the economic downturn began late last year.