- Boeing has made the fewest deliveries of its 737 Max since last year, as quality problems at the plane maker force a slowdown in production. Just 16 Maxes were delivered to airlines and lessors last month, the company said on Tuesday, dropping from 24 in March and the fewest since last September. Boeing made 24 deliveries overall. The decline comes as Boeing reels from an accident in January, when a door panel blew out from a 737 Max operated by Alaska Airlines shortly after take-off.
- While no passengers were seriously injured, it sparked multiple investigations by US authorities. Since January, Boeing has had “quality stand-downs” at more than 20 sites in the US, UK and Australia, including its 737 Max factory in Renton, Washington. The events involve halting production to focus on improving safety and quality. Chief executive Dave Calhoun told investors last month it was working to improve processes including training and inspections.
Why it matters
Boeing is also no longer accepting 737 Max fuselages that do not meet specifications from its supplier Spirit AeroSystems. The goal is to eliminate “travelled work”, where jets move through the production line with problems addressed later in the assembly process. Quality problems also led to the slowdown in 737 Max deliveries last September, when only 15 were received by customers after Spirit had incorrectly drilled holes in the rear pressure bulkhead for some fuselages.
