Jeppesen ForeFlight Cuts Staff, CEO Points to ‘AI and Automation’

DENVER — Jeppesen ForeFlight, the newly independent aviation software giant formed after Boeing’s $10.55 billion sale to Thoma Bravo, has initiated a significant round of layoffs. In a memo sent to staff this week, CEO Brad Surak explicitly linked the workforce reduction to the company’s aggressive pivot toward artificial intelligence.

Key Facts

• AI Justification: CEO Brad Surak wrote that “automation and AI are changing how aviation software is built and scaled,” requiring the company to modernize its workforce.
• Conflicting Numbers: While social media rumors on Reddit suggested cuts could impact up to 40% of the staff, a company spokesperson told reporters these figures are “misleading and overstated.”
• Private Equity Timeline: The cuts come less than three months after private equity firm Thoma Bravo completed its acquisition of the digital assets from Boeing in October 2025.
• Source: The Air Current Additional source: AIN Online

Automation Drives Restructuring

The integration of Jeppesen’s navigational data with ForeFlight’s mobile technology is being accelerated by AI. Management believes that machine learning tools can now handle complex tasks—such as updating aeronautical charts and processing flight data—that previously required large teams of engineers and data specialists. In his note to employees, Surak described AI as the “north star” for the company’s product roadmap, signaling a permanent shift away from labor-intensive legacy processes.

The Private Equity Playbook

The restructuring follows a pattern typical of Thoma Bravo, a firm known for optimizing software companies for high profitability. By combining the Englewood-based Jeppesen and Houston-based ForeFlight into a single operational entity, the new owners are eliminating duplicate roles in sales, marketing, and administration. However, the explicit focus on engineering automation suggests a deeper structural change is underway, one that goes beyond simple cost-cutting .

Business Integration

This move marks a definitive step in completing the integration of the Jeppesen and ForeFlight brands under Thoma Bravo’s stewardship. By consolidating resources and focusing on high-growth technologies, the newly independent entity is positioning itself for long-term sustainability. The company expects these strategic adjustments to streamline operations, allowing for more agile responses to market changes and customer needs.