Boeing announced that it resumed production of the 737, 767, and 777/777X aircraft programs after a seven-week strike involving 33,000 workers in the Pacific Northwest. The strike, which ended on November 5, significantly impacted the company’s operations.
Stephanie Pope, CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, emphasized that the restart of production lines was accompanied by efforts to ensure all employees are up-to-date with their training and certifications. She also mentioned that inventory levels have been adjusted to ensure smooth production.
Despite the resumption, Boeing’s commercial deliveries dropped sharply. In November, the company delivered only 13 aircraft compared to 56 in the same month last year. This decline adds to the 14 units delivered in October, reflecting the prolonged impact of the strike.
Meanwhile, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) continues to maintain strict oversight of Boeing’s operations. Mike Whitaker, FAA Administrator, expressed satisfaction with the company’s gradual and safe approach but reaffirmed that oversight will intensify due to recent safety issues. In January of this year, an improperly secured door panel detached from an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 mid-flight, leading to production limits of 38 units per month for this model.
The FAA has scheduled a meeting with Boeing in January 2025 to discuss progress in production processes. In the meantime, Pope assured that the company’s Safety Management System is helping to identify and mitigate potential issues. «We will continue to closely monitor our production performance indicators to deliver safe, high-quality aircraft on time for our customers,» she stated.
