Belfast aerospace company Shorts announced last night it faced cutting 460 jobs from its workforce.
The company, part of the Canadian Bombardier group, warned last year that it may have to cut up to 2,000 jobs as part of restructuring due to the downturn in the aircraft industry caused by the September 11th attacks in the US.
Shorts said it had advised the trade unions and employees today that "a further 461 jobs were surplus to requirements".
The job losses are on top of 416 permanent posts and 527 temporary workers and sub-contractors who have left through voluntary or compulsory redundancy.
But the company said those going were "significantly less" than the number of jobs first thought to be at risk post-September 11th because of efforts to keep losses to a minimum.
The company, which employs 6,600 in aircraft design and production in Belfast, said it hoped to reduce the 461 figure of job losses during a formal 90-day consultation period with the trade unions.
It was hoped to do so by repatriating work contracted out, redesignating and retraining workers for other jobs within the company.
Shorts said it would continue to review its manpower requirements for 2003 in the light of changing market conditions.
A spokesman said: "The company very much regrets losing valued employees. . . We will make every effort to assist surplus employees explore employment alternatives through out Interpoint outplacement centre, which will be supported by government departments."
The company said Belfast was a core part of Bombardier's aerospace business and it was ensuring that a strong integrated design and manufacturing capability was retained.
The spokesman said the company was continuing to invest in its Belfast operation, both in equipment and in training.
"We are going through a difficult period but, by taking all steps necessary to protect our competitiveness, we can be ready for the upturn in the market when it comes," he said.
Bombardier produces a successful range of regional, business and private jets, for many of which the Belfast plant produces substantial elements.
Northern Ireland Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment Sir Reg Empey expressed "deep concern" about the job losses.
Sir Reg, who is in Washington at a US-Ireland business summit, said he had discussions with the vice-president of Bombardier and pledged everything possible would be done by government to alleviate the job losses.
Trade unions said they were optimistic discussions with management, and a joint approach to government, would lead to a reduction in the 461 proposed job losses.
But Mr Walter Wilson, secretary of the trade union committee representing all unions at the company, said: "It remains to be seen how many jobs we can save." - (PA)