Countering recent remarks by Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg, the acting head of the Federal Aviation Administration said the agency has no current plan to lift its restrictions on 737 MAX production. FAA has maintained an oversight role on the 737 MAX program since February 2024, in response to the quality and safety lapses revealed by the in-flight failure of a side-door panel aboard the 737 MAX 9 jet.
Ortberg told the audience at a recent investors’ conference that FAA soon would approve a production rate of 42 aircraft per month for the 737 MAX program, up from the current cap of 38 per month.
Boeing has an order backlog of 0000 aircraft in the 737 MAX program, and stabilizing and then increasing its production rate is a strategic goal for the OEM striving to improve its financial stability.
Asked by reporters following a U.S. House hearing, acting administrator Chris Rocheleau said FAA is not considering relaxing its limit on the 737 MAX production rate.
Rocheleau also said FAA will continue to inspect each 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner jet independently before issuing airworthiness certificates.
The company has not commented on the acting administrator’s remarks.
Boeing has made improvements in safety and quality performance through the period of oversight. Ortberg noted that production defects for 737 MAX aircraft have been reduced by 30% since last year.
And FAA last week granted a three-year extension for Boeing to manage some inspections and approve some repair functions in place of agency inspectors.
