Boeing’s recovery in 737 MAX production remains uneven, with chief executive Kelly Ortberg saying it is taking longer than expected to stabilise output at 47 jets a month. The narrowbody programme is still central to Boeing’s US operations and airline deliveries, even as August handovers showed the recovery continuing across the fleet.
Ortberg’s comments underline that Boeing is still working through manufacturing constraints, particularly in wings production, before it can move beyond the 47-a-month target towards 52. The company has been trying to rebuild output after earlier regulatory scrutiny and quality problems, while airline customers continue to receive MAX aircraft for fleet renewal and capacity planning.
Recent delivery data point to progress, but not a complete turnaround. Boeing delivered 41 737 MAX aircraft in August, part of 51 total commercial deliveries for the month. That kept the MAX at the centre of Boeing’s cash flow and narrowbody strategy, while supporting US airline fleet economics through fuel-burn, payload and stage-length advantages versus older aircraft.