Boeing’s 737 production facility in Renton, Washington. Credit: Boeing
Boeing increased production of its 737 MAX aircraft to 38 per month during its most recent quarter and will soon go to FAA to discuss boosting that cadence to 42 per month, according to the company’s chief executive.
The aerospace giant on Tuesday reported sales of $22.7 billion for the months of April-June, up 35% from the prior year. The company also reported a quarterly loss of $612 million, less than the $1.4 billion loss reported during the same period in 2024.
During a call with analysts, CEO Kelly Ortberg said Boeing has one key performance indicator below threshold that it’s addressing before seeking approval to increase 737 production. He did not detail the particular KPI.
“Once we get that KPI where we need it, then we’ll be having those discussions with the FAA,” Ortberg said.
The agency capped monthly production of the jets following the January 2024 door plug blowout aboard a MAX 9 operated by Alaska Airlines.
“We’ve got huge market demand, and we need to satisfy that demand, and the only way we’re going to do that is through these methodical rate increases,” Ortberg said. “The priority is to keep it stable, build high-quality airplanes, and if we start to wobble, we’re going to stay at that rate until we get the production process stable.”
Boeing’s Commercial Airplanes division reported quarterly sales of nearly $10.9 billion, up 81% from the prior year. The business delivered 150 aircraft during the three-month period.
Boeing also reported that 787 Dreamliner production is now at seven per month and that the company plans to increase that rate.
“It’s clear our recovery plan is taking hold,” Ortberg told analysts. “We’re making steady progress to stabilize our business.”
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Additionally, Ortberg said Boeing is closely monitoring trade deals the U.S. government is brokering with other countries. In particular, he pointed to the agreement with Japan announced last week, noting Boeing imports equipment from that nation.
When it comes to demand, however, he said, “everybody’s looking at their trade imbalance and saying, ‘How do I address that?’ and [there’s] no better way than to make a big aircraft order.”
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