US officials announced on Friday that Boeing has been given the green light to ramp up production of 737 MAX aircraft, signaling an improvement in the company’s relationship with safety regulators. The aircraft manufacturer will now increase the output of the single-aisle planes to 42 per month, up from the previous rate of 38, as approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), as per a source with knowledge of the situation.
The FAA stated that its safety inspectors thoroughly reviewed Boeing’s production facilities to ensure the production rate hike is executed safely. The agency emphasized that its oversight of Boeing’s production processes remains unchanged, with safety-critical personnel, including inspectors, continuing their work despite the government shutdown.
This production increase is anticipated to have a positive impact on Boeing’s financial performance, given the crucial role aircraft deliveries play in the company’s revenue generation. Boeing has faced annual losses over the past six years.
The FAA’s announcement on Friday reflects an enhanced rapport with regulators following the fatal MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019. These incidents led to an extensive grounding of the jet and investigations by Congress, during which the FAA was criticized for its close ties with the manufacturer.
Although the MAX was cleared for service in November 2020, it faced renewed scrutiny after an Alaska Airlines flight in January 2024 necessitated an emergency landing due to a blown-out window panel. A spokesperson from Boeing mentioned that the company has been monitoring its progress using performance metrics shared with the FAA.
Boeing intends to collaborate with suppliers to boost production in a controlled manner, ensuring that the rate increase is implemented with a primary focus on safety and quality.