Boeing has announced a further increase in 737 production rates to 47 aircraft a month in 2017. This will see more than 560 737s a year come off its Renton production lines, representing an increase in output of nearly 50 per cent since 2010.
“This increase will lay a solid foundation as we bridge into production on the 737 MAX,” said Beverly Wyse, 737 program vice president and general manager.
Boeing is currently building the 737 at a rate of 38 aircraft a month, with the rate to increase to 42 per month in the first half of 2014.
The 737 order backlog currently stands at over 3,400 aircraft, including 1,600 737 MAX orders. Of that backlog, as at September Qantas had eight 737-800s on order, Virgin Australia no fewer than 59 (including 23 MAXes), according to Boeing’s orders and deliveries website.
