Boeing recently announced its plan to increase the production of its 737 Max aircraft to 38 planes per month by 2022. This move comes despite the challenges the company has faced due to the grounding of the 737 Max fleet after two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019. However, this decision may be met with skepticism as the company has faced recent manufacturing issues with the 737 Max.
The 737 Max is Boeing’s best-selling aircraft and the company is keen to increase production to meet the demand for the aircraft from airlines across the globe. The new production rate of 38 planes per month is a significant increase from the current production rate of 31 planes per month. The move is aimed at capturing the market share lost during the grounding of the 737 Max and to prepare for the expected surge in air travel demand in the coming years.
However, Boeing has been facing manufacturing issues with the 737 Max, which could impact its plans to ramp up production. In September 2020, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) discovered a potential issue with the wiring in the aircraft’s cockpit that could cause a short circuit and lead to a loss of critical systems, including the engines. This caused a delay in the delivery of some 737 Max planes, and Boeing had to inspect the planes and make necessary changes to the wiring.
Despite these challenges, Boeing is confident that it can increase production to 38 planes per month by 2022. The company has stated that it has implemented a range of measures to improve production processes and reduce costs. These measures include changes to the production system, improving supply chain efficiency, and reducing non-value-added activities.
However, some analysts have raised concerns about the feasibility of the company’s plan to increase production. Given the recent manufacturing issues, there is a risk that further problems may arise, which could cause further delays in production. Additionally, there is the issue of demand, with some airlines still reluctant to purchase the 737 Max due to safety concerns.
In conclusion, Boeing’s plan to increase production of the 737 Max to 38 planes per month by 2022 is an ambitious move. While the company has faced manufacturing issues, it is implementing measures to improve production processes and reduce costs. However, the success of this plan will depend on the company’s ability to overcome the manufacturing challenges and meet the demand for the 737 Max from airlines.
