USA – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed that Boeing has not yet resumed production of 737 MAX airplanes following a machinists strike but plans to restart later this month. FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker recently visited Boeing’s Renton plant to review the company’s progress on workforce rebuilding and safety measures.
- Production Status: Boeing’s 737 MAX production remains on hold after the machinists strike, with plans to restart later this month. The FAA has capped production at 38 aircraft per month due to safety concerns, and the timeline for lifting this cap remains unclear.
- Safety Concerns: FAA Administrator Whitaker cited ongoing concerns about Boeing’s safety management system, emphasizing the need for a more proactive approach to hazard identification and resolution.
- Engine De-Icing Issue: Boeing is addressing an engine de-icing issue delaying the certification of the 737 MAX 7, which is key to the company’s production goals.
- Leadership Engagement: Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg expressed confidence in Boeing’s ability to resolve safety and regulatory issues, while Whitaker’s role at the FAA faces uncertainty amid the upcoming presidential administration transition.
Statement’s
- “The thing that I was most struck by was we’re four weeks post-strike, and they’re still not producing airplanes because they’re focused on their workforce, the training, making sure they have the supply chain sorted out.” FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker stated during his visit.
Source: FAA