Boeing To Increase 737 Production Rate In 2017;to Produce 47 Airplanes Per Month

(RTTNews) - Boeing Co (BA) announced Thursday that production on the 737 program will increase to 47 airplanes per month in 2017. Once implemented, the 737 program will build more than 560 airplanes per year, and will have increased output by nearly 50 percent since 2010.

The company said it currently produces 38 airplanes per month from its Renton, Wash., factory and will increase the rate to 42 per month in the first half of 2014. First delivery of the 737 MAX is on track for third quarter of 2017.

"Our employees and our suppliers have successfully increased the production rate to unmatched levels over the last three years. This increase will lay a solid foundation as we bridge into production on the 737 MAX," said Beverly Wyse, vice president and general manager, 737 Program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

The company said that the rate increase is not expected to have a significant impact on 2013 financial results.

According to the company, To date, 266 customers worldwide have placed more than 11,200 orders for the single-aisle airplane - including more than 6,500 orders for the Next-Generation 737 and more than 1,600 orders for the 737 MAX. The firm currently has more than 3,400 unfilled orders across the 737 family.