Boeing reaches monthly output of thirty-eight Max jets amid recovery efforts

The FAA set the production cap following a January 2024 incident involving an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9, which led to concerns over Boeing’s quality control processes. This incident resulted in grounding over 170 aircraft and increased regulatory scrutiny. As part of its response, Boeing needed to show sustained improvements across key benchmarks before increasing output beyond 38 units per month.

Boeing aims for gradual production increases once regulatory conditions allow. Ortberg confirmed that the next goal is producing 42 aircraft per month but noted that further rate hikes would be spaced six months apart to protect supply chain stability.

In April, Boeing manufactured 31 MAX aircraft and delivered 29 while having nearly 100 undelivered aircraft already produced. If higher throughput can be maintained, plans for starting a fourth assembly line may proceed.

Ortberg also mentioned expectations to complete certification of two final MAX variants by end-2025—MAX 7 and MAX 10—which have faced delays since their launch but are crucial parts of Boeing’s order book with over 1,200 MAX 10s and more than 330 MAX 7s ordered.