Boeing has officially resumed production of its 737 MAX aircraft after a year of controversy and challenges. The resumption follows a seven-week strike by 33,000 workers that had halted production and hit the manufacturer’s financial bottom line.
The resumption of production is a glimmer of hope for Boeing, which has mired by extensive challenges since the pandemic and the 737 MAX crisis. The company has implemented a number of safety measures and quality control procedures amid a period of intense regulatory scrutiny and oversight.
In a social media post on 10 December, Boeing stated, “We’ve restarted 737 production after weeks of methodical preparation to ensure our teams, parts and factories are ready.”
“Our production team loaded fresh 737 MAX fuselages into the Renton factory, and teammates who helped prepare the factory are in place to resume production.”
The manufacturer’s production team have loaded fresh 737 MAX fuselages into the Renton factory, as line production recommences.
737 MAX Production Resumption
In a statement on Tuesday, Boeing confirmed the restart of the Renton factory production line. “We have now resumed 737 production in our Renton factory, with our Everett programs on plan to follow in the days ahead,” it said.
The resumption of 737 MAX production is a positive development for both Boeing after a long year of challenge and controversy.
Following an inflight incident at the beginning of the year, involving a door plug blowout on a 737 MAX 9, FAA oversight of the 737 MAX production line has been significant.
The increased oversight activities by FAA inspectors included:
- Capping production of new Boeing 737 MAX airplanes to achieve system stability and compliance with required quality control procedures.
- Launching an investigation scrutinizing Boeing’s compliance with manufacturing requirements.
- Increasing oversight of the production of new airplanes with more FAA safety inspectors on-site at all Boeing manufacturing facilities.
- Increasing data monitoring to identify significant safety issues.
- Commissioning an independent analysis of potential safety-focused reforms around quality control and delegation.
Summary
Boeing has worked closely with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to address these issues and implement mandated safety improvements. The company has also faced increased scrutiny from regulators and lawmakers around the world.
Despite the 737 MAX production restart, the US plane manufacturer is still not out of the woods. It continues to layoff staff as it struggles to get financials and production back in order.
As Boeing moves forward, it remains to be seen whether changes to its safety and operating culture prove effective. Boeing now faces a period of consolidation, and restoration of public trust. It must now work to ensure the long-term success of the 737 MAX program and its broader commercial aircraft division.
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