Boeing boosts its production with a new line of 737 Max ‎aircraft

Boeing told employees on Monday that it will add a new production line for the 737 MAX model in Everett, Washington, in mid-2024, as it plans to increase shipments of its best-selling jet.

According to “Reuters”, Stanley Deal, CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said in an email seen by Reuters that the new line will be the fourth to produce the 737 MAX, and that the need for it comes from “strong demand for the product.”

Deal added in the letter that Boeing is working to reactivate its third line for the 737 MAX model in Renton, Washington.

Boeing placed orders for about 700 MAX aircraft last year, delivered 387 737 MAX aircraft, and has a total backlog of 3,600 MAX aircraft.

“In addition to preparing the facility, we have begun the process of notifying and preparing our suppliers, customers, unions and employees as we take the necessary steps to construct a new line,” Deal said.

Boeing announced this month that it has stabilized production of the 737 MAX at 31 aircraft per month, with plans to increase production to approximately 50 aircraft per month in the 2025-2026 timeframe.

Deal pointed to the US Congress’ decision in December to exempt two new versions of the 737 MAX from a deadline for a new safety standard for modern cockpit alerts.

The company had struggled for months to persuade lawmakers to exempt the Max 7 and Max 10 from a deadline imposed by Congress in 2020 after 346 were killed in two 737 Max crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia. Boeing said that the fate of the two new planes is in danger if Congress does not act.