Aerospace Industry
Boeing Cleared to Boost Production of 737 Max
The aerospace giant can now assemble 42 of the jets per month.
Photo courtesy Boeing
SEATTLE—Boeing has received permission from the Federal Aviation Administration to increase production of its 737 Max aircraft to 42 jets per month, a significant victory for the manufacturer as it works to assuage concerns about the safety and reliability of its most-ordered product.
The FAA imposed a 38 aircraft-per-month cap on Boeing shortly after a door plug failed on a 737 Max 9 operated by Alaska Airlines in January 2024. The agency also increased its oversight of Boeing’s facilities.
Company officials said at an investors’ conference in September that they expected the cap to be raised relatively soon, and CEO Kelly Ortberg predicted an eventual increase in production to about 47 Max jets in the near future.
In a statement, the agency said its safety inspectors “conducted extensive reviews of Boeing’s production lines to ensure that this small production rate increase will be done safely.”Looking for quick answers on assembly and manufacturing topics? Try Ask ASM, our new smart AI search tool. Ask ASM
Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!
