4 Jun (Reuters) – Boeing is exploring the possibility of increasing production of its best-selling aircraft, the 737, beyond its publicly stated goal of 63 aircraft per month, Air Current reported on Thursday.
The planemaker is drawing up plans and evaluating whether its suppliers could support increasing production of its single-aisle jets to about 70 per month, the report said, citing sources familiar with the matter.
The lofty target would test the resilience of its supply chain and bring Boeing’s production plans closer to rival Airbus’ production targets for its competing single-aisle jet segment.
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The studies are still in the initial phase and the increase may not be adopted, according to the report.
The US planemaker said in May it was increasing production of its 737 MAX jets from 42 to 47 per month after consulting with the US Federal Aviation Administration.
“We’re working at a rate of 47 and should get there in the next few months,” Chief Executive Kelly Ortberg said at the Bernstein conference in May.
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When asked to comment, Boeing referred to statements made by Ortberg at the conference, without providing further details.
Airbus has long sought to achieve monthly production of 75 A320neo family jets, but has repeatedly delayed this target due to supply chain constraints. Now, the company expects to achieve production of 70 to 75 units per month by the end of 2027, with plans to stabilize production at 75 units thereafter.
The company is currently producing an average of about 60 single-aisle jets per month.
(Reporting by Shivansh Tiwary in Bengaluru)
