The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed that Boeing has not yet resumed production of 737 MAX airplanes following a recent machinists strike, Reuters reported last week. However, the company plans to restart production later this month. FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker met with Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg and toured the company’s 737 plant in Renton, Washington to increase oversight following the strike.
Whitaker emphasized that Boeing’s focus is on rebuilding its workforce, training, and supply chain before ramping up production. He also noted that the company is working on a fix for a 737 MAX engine de-icing issue that has been delaying the certification of the MAX 7.
The FAA previously capped 737 MAX production at 38 planes per month due to safety concerns. Whitaker declined to specify when the FAA would lift this cap but indicated it could take multiple months. He also expressed concerns about Boeing’s safety management system, stating that it has not been effective in proactively identifying and addressing potential hazards.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg expressed optimism about Boeing’s commitment to addressing safety concerns and meeting regulatory requirements. However, the future of FAA Administrator Whitaker’s position remains uncertain as the Trump administration transition takes place.
