The FAA and Boeing are developing a process for evaluating any future requests regarding increased production rates. This will create a roadmap for when such a request is made. Since the Alaska Airlines incident, Boeing has focused on making safety and quality improvements at its Renton, Washington facility. The company’s production and deliveries have increased this year.
At an event at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said,
“They still haven't asked us to increase the rate, and we haven't agreed to do anything. We agreed that it would make sense to start to develop the process by which we would entertain a rate increase conversation.”
Bedford visited Boeing’s Renton facility on August 15 and met with CEO Kelly Ortberg to discuss initiatives related to stabilizing supply chains and addressing production concerns. Bedford acknowledged progress but noted ongoing problems such as “traveled work,” where tasks are finished later than scheduled.
In May, Ortberg expressed confidence that Boeing could raise MAX production rates: he stated he was “pretty confident” about reaching 42 aircraft per month and mentioned working with the FAA toward potentially achieving a rate of 47 aircraft per month by year-end. The immediate focus remains on stabilizing at 38 units monthly and proving consistency before asking for approval to raise output.
Reuters reported on August 27 that Ryanair expects Boeing’s production rate could reach 42 units per month by October. Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary made this comment after discussions with Stephanie Pope, CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. An increase in production would help address global demand for commercial aircraft.
Over the past eighteen months, Boeing has improved its output of MAX jets significantly. In Q2 this year, monthly production reached 38 aircraft—a notable improvement—while delivery numbers also rose. Deliveries matter financially for manufacturers because they trigger revenue recognition; thus, restoring delivery volumes helps convert order backlogs into cash flow.
In June alone, Boeing delivered sixty aircraft: forty-two were 737 MAXs along with nine 787s, five 767s, and four 777s—marking its best second-quarter performance since 2018. Last month saw forty-eight deliveries—a decrease from June but still July’s highest total since 2017.
Throughout this year so far, average monthly deliveries have ranged between forty and forty-five units—with June being especially strong for results. For now, Boeing does not have a set delivery target for next year as it continues focusing on stable operations and quality improvement.
Meanwhile, Airbus continues delivering more planes each month compared with Boeing and aims for eight hundred twenty deliveries in 2025; however, Airbus must also boost its own production rates over coming months in order to meet this goal.
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