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Boeing invests $1 billion in South Carolina facility expansion

Boeing invests $1 billion in South Carolina facility expansion
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Boeing is set to invest $1 billion in its South Carolina facility to expand the production of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. This development follows recent permit applications aimed at doubling the production capacity for the Dreamliner at this location. The expansion comes after a significant worker strike earlier this year that halted production across Boeing's airliners, except for the Dreamliner. In October 2024, Boeing managed to deliver only 14 airplanes due to the strike.

On Thursday, Boeing announced its plan to spend $1 billion on expanding operations in Charleston County, where it assembles the Boeing 787 Dreamliner series of widebody passenger jets. According to Reuters, "Boeing plans to expand operations at its Charleston County, South Carolina, facility with the $1 billion investment in infrastructure upgrades and the creation of 500 new jobs over five years," as stated in a joint announcement with the South Carolina Department of Commerce.

The investment aims to increase monthly Dreamliner production to ten units by 2026. Current production levels are lower due to supply-chain delays affecting components like seats and heat exchangers. By early next year, Boeing intends to raise production rates back up from four per month towards a target of ten per month by 2025/26.

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"The 787 program will be ramping up production next year," according to Flight Plan. The report notes that earlier this year, Boeing increased its production rate for the 787 but temporarily reduced it again before planning another increase by year's end.

Boeing has also confirmed that its upcoming Boeing 797 medium-sized passenger jet will be built in Renton, Washington, not South Carolina. The details and design specifications of this new aircraft remain unclear.

Meanwhile, Airbus plans to increase its flagship A350 production rate and expects significant deliveries despite ongoing supply chain challenges. According to Flight Plan's October report, Airbus is expected to deliver significantly more commercial jets than Boeing in 2024.

The expansion reflects Boeing's anticipation of growing demand for widebody aircraft as airlines seek to renew their fleets amid increasing international travel demand. As noted by Boeing: "Boeing South Carolina is the home of the 787 Dreamliner, where the full cycle of 787 Dreamliner production happens – from freezer to flight."

The South Carolina facility serves as an assembly point for various models of the Dreamliner and includes other functions such as research and technology development.

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