Regulator says improvements are underway but more evidence needed before raising limits
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not received a formal request from Boeing to lift the current 38-plane-per-month production cap on its 737 MAX jets, Administrator Bryan Bedford said this week. The production restriction was imposed following a January 2024 mid-air incident involving an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9, which was found to be missing four critical bolts.
Speaking on the sidelines of an air show, Bedford acknowledged Boeing’s efforts to improve its manufacturing culture but emphasized that any increase in production must be backed by lasting changes. “We’re going to want to look at the entire supply chain,” Bedford said, noting that while Boeing’s progress appears genuine, it remains “embryonic.”
Boeing did not immediately respond to requests for comment. However, in May, CEO Kelly Ortberg stated the company is “pretty confident” it can scale up production to 42 jets per month—pending regulatory approval.
The FAA has extended a program allowing Boeing to perform certain inspections on the agency’s behalf, citing positive strides in internal oversight and safety practices. Still, Bedford reiterated that the agency would maintain a cautious stance.
The FAA is also evaluating certification for Boeing’s smallest and largest 737 MAX variants—the MAX 7 and MAX 10. Bedford suggested the company is taking lessons to heart, including the financial wisdom of “getting the job done right the first time.”
While Bedford sees Boeing’s cultural and operational improvements as “encouraging,” he made clear that full regulatory confidence remains distant. “We’re a long way from saying we can let our guard down,” he said, reinforcing the FAA’s intent to maintain stringent oversight as Boeing works to restore its reputation and reliability in the commercial aviation industry.
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