Boeing to Again Increase 737 Production Rate

Boeing is to again increase the production rate of its Next-Generation 737s, this time to 42 airplanes per month.

Once implemented in the first half of 2014, the 737 program expects to build on average two 737s each workday and nearly 500 airplanes each year.

 "Customers are demanding our Next-Generation 737 at an unprecedented rate," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO, Jim Albaugh. "New performance improvements and enhanced passenger comfort features have driven home the value equation for our customers."

737 Program Vice President and General Manager Beverly Wyse said the goal with this rate increase is to continue meeting customer demand with an innovative airplane that provides strong performance and value.

"We have worked very closely with our supply chain and our world-class manufacturing team to ensure we can increase rate in an efficient and responsible fashion," Wyse said. "We believe that many of the capital investments and production system changes made for 38 airplanes per month will already position us to build 42. We are very well situated for this rate increase."

The 737 program currently produces 31.5 airplanes per month and expects to go to 35 per month in early 2012, 38 per month in second quarter 2013, and then to 42 per month in the first half of 2014.

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