A few days after announcing its intention to increase the type’s production rate, Boeing confirmed that some deliveries of 737 MAX aircraft will be temporarily halted as a result of a defect in a part supplied by Spirit AeroSystems.
Following the announcement, the American manufacturer’s shares fell 5.3%, while those of the supplier plunged 11.8%. Last February, Boeing temporarily suspended deliveries of the 787 Dreamliner to conduct additional analysis on a fuselage component also supplied by Spirit AeroSystems.
See also: Boeing halts 787 deliveries again to check a fuselage component
Boeing halts deliveries of some 737 MAXs
According to a report by Dominic Gates for The Seattle Times, Boeing will have to work to fix the problem on some aircraft already completed but not yet delivered to customers, as well as others currently on the assembly line.
According to Gates, Spirit AeroSystems notified Boeing last Wednesday of a problem in the installation process of two fittings in the fuselage-to-tail area of some 737 MAX 7, MAX 8 and MAX 8-200 aircraft, as well as the P-8 military aircraft. The 737 MAX 9s use other fittings and are therefore not affected.
The supplier explained that the issue could date back four years. In that case, it would affect most of the aircraft built since the type’s suspension of operations was established in March 2019.
In a press release, Boeing said the problem does not affect flight safety and aircraft currently in service will continue to operate normally. However, the situation would affect «a significant number» of backlogged deliveries.
Unlike in the past with the 787 Dreamliner, the necessary inspections will be carried out in an accessible area of the airframe, so the impact on the delivery schedule would be minimised.
Company wants to increase production
Earlier this week, Boeing said it plans to restore production levels of its latest narrow-body family.
According to unnamed sources quoted by Reuters on condition of anonymity, the company planned to increase monthly production to 38 units by next June. The pace would continue to grow to 42 aircraft by January 2024 and 47 by mid-2024. Boeing wants to produce up to 52 737 MAXs by January 2025.
In recent months, the rapid increase in demand has, in many cases, outstripped the industry’s ability to adapt and maintain adequate service. As a result, aircraft manufacturers face problems stemming from delivery delays by small and medium-sized suppliers.
This led to widespread delays in deliveries to airlines. Both Boeing and Airbus expect these conditions to continue until at least 2024.
