Key facts
- Boeing is studying potential production increases for its 737 MAX aircraft.
- The company received regulatory approval in May to increase production to 47 planes per month.
- Future targets include reaching 52 planes per month, with further studies for rates around 70 jets monthly.
- These studies assess supplier capabilities and the resilience of the supply chain.
- The potential production rate of 70 jets per month would approach Airbus's target for its A320neo family.
Boeing is actively exploring significant increases in the production rate of its 737 MAX aircraft, with internal studies considering a target of around 70 jets per month. This ambitious goal, which would represent the highest output level in the program's history, is contingent on the resilience of its supply chain and its ability to meet regulatory and operational stability requirements.
Currently, Boeing has regulatory approval to produce 47 737 MAX aircraft per month. Stephanie Pope, CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, indicated that the immediate focus is on stabilizing production at this rate before moving to 52 planes per month. Beyond that, the company is assessing the feasibility of reaching approximately 70 aircraft monthly, a pace that would bring it closer to rival Airbus's stated target of 75 A320neo family aircraft per month by 2027.
These production rate studies are in their early stages, and the higher cadence may not ultimately be adopted. However, the exploration signals Boeing's intent to capitalize on strong global airline demand, which has seen order books for both manufacturers sold out well into the 2030s. Airbus holds a lead in unfilled orders for single-aisle aircraft, with 7,354 orders for its A320 program compared to Boeing's 4,872 for its single-aisle tally as of April. Achieving higher production rates is crucial for both companies to reduce delivery backlogs and generate more cash.