Boeing Eyes 737 MAX Production Increase

The 737 MAX program could receive formal approval for an increase in production by year’s end.

The production increase would come over 18 months after caps were imposed on the rates for this popular single-aisle series from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Kelly Ortbeg, the Chief Executive Officer of the planemaker, said that it would hope production would increase to 42 soon, and further increases would likely follow, but first, approval would be required.

Boeing would rather have the ability to increase production as necessary to a new cap rather than immediately rush to meet this revised rate with the cap rise.

The planemaker has been taking positive steps to ensure that its output is more sustainable moving forward and comes with stronger quality control to prevent problems from slipping through and reduce the rate of emergence.

Production must remain stable at its current rate before an increase can occur. Boeing wants to ensure that, by being stable, it can manage any increases it’s permitted to conduct.

While the 737 MAX caps have been necessary in allowing the planemaker to rebuild, just as much as the FAA has had the chance to understand better and evaluate practices, this is not something that can remain forever.

What’s Happening With The 737 MAX?

The FAA has closely monitored Boeing’s production progress for some time, following a door blowout incident that revealed unresolved issues within the company.

Because of this, the FAA imposed production restrictions, which, while frustrating for Boeing, was deemed the right decision to ensure meaningful progress would be made on rebuilding the business during arguably its most challenging point.

The 737 MAX is Boeing’s most crucial jet. With this model’s high production rates and output, it also boasts the strongest backlog, playing a significant role in the fleets of airlines worldwide.

Therefore, the restrictions have had a profound impact on the planemaker’s ability to grow and remain stable.

Finances have become a cause for concern, and the only way this sees improvement is through the lifting of production caps on the 737 MAX or an increase in the rate deemed adequate.

However, it remains more complex for Boeing than simply increasing production and obtaining that approval. According to the FAA, there must be visible processes that have changed and investments in culture and safety that are having their intended effect.