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Boeing hold-ups suppliers' 737 MAX output objective by 6 months, sources state

Boeing has actually informed suppliers it is delaying a crucial production milestone for its 737 MAX by 6 months, 3 industry sources said, in a sign the planemaker is struggling to boost production of its best-selling jet.

Boeing's most current 737 supplier master schedule communicated to the industry calls for MAX output to reach 42 a. month in March 2025, compared to a previous target of. September 2024, the sources told Reuters.

Boeing has actually been having a hard time to recover production of its top. single-aisle guest aircraft due to additional safety and. regulative checks given that a door panel drastically flew off a 737. MAX jet in midair in January.

While the so-called master schedule is a need signal, it. is not an official production target. Boeing has actually not changed its. main airplane production target, which calls for 38 MAX jets a. month by the end of 2024, up from roughly 25 jets a month in. July.

When asked about the master schedule, a Boeing representative. directed Reuters to 2nd quarter comments made by CFO Brian. West in late July.

On the master schedule, we continue to make adjustments as. required and manage provider by supplier based upon inventory. levels, West said. Our objective remains to keep the supply. chain paced ahead of last assembly to support stability.

In an effort to line up with Boeing's lower production,. provider Spirit AeroSystems in August temporarily. lowered its regular monthly output of fuselages for the 737 MAX to 21 a. month from 31, decreasing demand for parts from its own supply. chain, a senior market source informed Reuters.

Spirit AeroSystems representative Joe Buccino said we make. adjustments of shipment and production rates with our suppliers. in accordance with our supplier contracts.

2 of the sources, who work for suppliers, stated Boeing's. modifications to the internal target have actually made it harder for them to. forecast and strategy production.

Efficiently managing providers is essential for both Boeing. and competing Airbus, which both want to grow output to. satisfy travel demand.

In a separate move, Boeing Commercial Airplanes is. taking steps to integrate its operations and agreements groups in an. internal organizational modification anticipated to improve interaction. between providers and the planemaker, stated one of the sources. Boeing declined comment.

(source: Reuters)