FAA lets Boeing increase 737 Max production almost two years after near-catastrophic accident

Production & Approval - FAA approves Boeing's request to increase 737 Max monthly production from 38 to 42 [1] - FAA conducted extensive reviews of Boeing's production lines to ensure safety for the rate increase [1] - FAA will continue to monitor Boeing's production [1] - Boeing may need further FAA approval to increase production to 47 per month [1] Financial Implications - Increased production drives deliveries and free cash flow [3] - Boeing anticipates positive free cash flow this quarter, partly due to increased production [3] Production Goals & Timeline - Boeing's goal has been to reach a production rate of 42 per month by the end of the year [4] - Initial expectations were to reach 42 per month in Q3, but the timeline shifted to Q4 [4][6] - Boeing is focused on ensuring FAA approval and avoiding rushing the production increase [4] Monitoring & Quality - FAA receives daily data from Boeing regarding the manufacturing process [5] - FAA reviewed six key performance indicators and determined Boeing could consistently achieve the increased rate [5][6] - Boeing emphasizes a disciplined rate readiness process guided by its safety management system [1][2] - Maintaining quality and managing the supply chain are key concerns for sustaining the increased production rate [6]