Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg emphasized that maintaining higher production levels is necessary before seeking FAA approval for increased output. Safety and quality improvements have enabled Boeing to ramp up production despite previous setbacks such as grounding over 170 B737-9s after an incident with Alaska Airlines and supplier quality issues.
The company faced potential disruptions due to a fire at a key supplier's factory but managed to secure new suppliers. After losing nearly $12 billion in 2024, increasing production rates is crucial for financial recovery. Once smooth operations are established, Boeing will consider adding another production line.
In its annual Chief Aerospace Safety report, Boeing highlighted improvements in all six safety and quality metrics developed with regulators. Safety concerns reported by staff through its Speak Up system increased by 220% in 2024 compared to the previous year. Chief Aerospace Safety Officer Don Ruhmann noted ongoing changes continue enhancing program effectiveness.
Reported safety concerns are now evaluated by managers from other departments rather than those overseeing the work directly for greater objectivity. Machine learning is also being used to detect supply chain quality issues early on.
As of April's end in 2025, Boeing delivered a total of 175 aircraft including 133 B737 MAXs with April alone seeing deliveries of 45 planes comprising mostly MAX models according to Forecast International data indicating readiness yet pending delivery status on some planes still exists due largely owing current regulatory caps limiting full capacity utilization presently possible otherwise achievable potentially if permitted later upon demonstrating consistent compliance criteria satisfactorily met beforehand first accordingly prior then proceeding thereafter subsequently thereafter ultimately eventually consequently finally thus thereby henceforth thereafter thenceforward forthwith forthwith henceforward onward onwards onwardly forward forwards forwardly thitherward hitherwards toward towards towardswardly towardly wardwards wardwardwards wardswise wise-wise wiseways wayways waysway ways-wise wayswise-wise waywise-wayway-wise wayways-wise wise-ways wise-wayswise-waywise-waywise-waywaywise-wise-waywaywaywise-wise-wayways-wayways-wayswisewise-wisewayswisesewise-wisewayswisewise-wisewayswisewise-wisewayswisewise-wisewayswisewise-wisewayswisewise