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Boeing has received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to increase the production rate of its 737 MAX aircraft to 42 units per month. The FAA’s decision comes after a period of restricted output following a safety incident earlier this year involving an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9, in which a door plug detached during flight. The incident, which resulted in no casualties, was attributed to missing bolts, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
Boeing has faced ongoing challenges with the 737 MAX line since its introduction. The aircraft was grounded worldwide in 2019 after two fatal crashes that killed 346 people, caused by defects in the new autopilot system. The aftermath included financial losses, a global grounding, and intense scrutiny of Boeing’s safety and quality control processes.
The FAA’s recent move is seen as a step forward for Boeing as it works to address a backlog of orders and aims to restore its reputation in the narrowbody aircraft market. The company is also pursuing certification for its 737 MAX 7 and MAX 10 variants, with hopes to begin mass production next year. "We appreciate the work by our team, our suppliers and the FAA to ensure we are prepared to increase production with safety and quality at the forefront," Boeing said in a statement relayed by CNBC.
