Jason Miles
By 2025, Boeing intends to resume 737 MAX manufacturing at pre-crisis levels. After two deadly crashes that resulted in a total of 346 fatalities, the 737 MAX was grounded globally in March 2019. Only in November 2020, following extensive updates to the aircraft’s software and safety features by Boeing, was it authorised for operation again.
The 737 MAX has been grounded, delaying Boeing’s initial plans to increase production of the aircraft to 57 aircraft per month by the end of 2019. Since the 737 MAX was permitted to resume operations, Boeing has gradually increased production; at this time, it produces about 16 aircraft per month.
Boeing stated in a statement that it anticipates output to gradually rise over the following few years with the aim of resuming pre-crisis production rates of 31 aircraft per month in early 2022. By the end of 2022, it plans to boost production to 42 planes per month, and in 2023, to 52 planes per month.
According to Greg Smith, chief financial officer of Boeing, the company decided to expand production rates because it believes the 737 MAX will continue to play a “significant part” in the aviation industry for many years to come.
However, some people are sceptical of Boeing’s ambitions to raise output. Given that many airlines have reduced the size of their fleets because of the COVID-19 outbreak, some analysts have questioned whether there will be enough demand for the 737 MAX to support such high production rates.
Boeing is however confident in the 737 MAX’s future and has stated that it is certain that it will be able to scale up production to pre-crisis levels by 2025.
