Former 747 plant to have 737 MAX 10 assembly line, Boeing says
The world’s largest commercial aircraft production plant, Everett, has been left empty after the 787 assembly line was moved to Charleston and production of the iconic 747 ended.
But Boeing plans to give the facility a major mission: to produce the 737 MAX 10, the largest variant of the narrow-body jet.
Speaking at a financial conference on Thursday, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said plans call for a fourth 737 assembly line in Everett to relieve pressure on Renton, where the company would focus on producing the highest-volume versions of the plane.
Because of the complexity of the 737-10, Everett would be tasked with producing only that variant. In addition to being the largest jet in the family, it incorporates some changes such as a main landing gear that can be extended on the ground to avoid the tail hitting the ground.
According to the Seattle Times, Boeing is expected to place the 737 MAX 10 assembly line next to the classic 777, in an area east of the huge building where the 767 freighter and the KC-46 are also assembled.
Looking to expand production
Despite this, there is still a long way to go before 737-10 units can start leaving the Everett factory.
First, Boeing needs to recover its production capacity in Renton, currently limited to 38 737 aircraft per month by the FAA.
The planemaker is in the middle of the process of reaching this cap and will need to prove to the US civil aviation agency that the work being done is safe and controlled to avoid situations like the one involving Alaska’s 737 MAX 9, which lost its door plug in flight last year.
After FAA approval, the plan is to increase the monthly cadence to 42 aircraft and then 47 jets. Although it does not reveal a deadline, it is understood that this level could be reached by 2026.
In addition, Boeing depends on the certification of the 737 MAX 10 and its smaller sibling, the 737 MAX 7, which is expected by the end of this year.
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