Boeing has received clearance from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to hike the production of its 737 MAX aircraft from 38 units per month to 42 units per month.
On Friday (October 17), Reuters reported that Bryan Bedford, an FAA administrator, had called Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg earlier that day to confirm the decision.
Citing a person briefed on the matter, Reuters added that Boeing is set to “quickly” begin boosting production in line with the FAA’s latest cap.
In other Boeing news, the union that represents the company’s striking machinists in St. Louis has confirmed that it will resume meditation talks with Boeing today (October 20).
On Friday (October 17), the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM Union) said it has accepted an offer from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) to resume mediation.
Boeing, likewise, has accepted the latest offer from the FMCS.
The two parties will aim to secure a new pay deal for the approximately 3,200 IAM Union members who have joined the strike, which is now entering its 12th week.
“The IAM Union is hopeful that returning to mediation will lead to meaningful progress and a fair resolution,” said the union’s District 837, representing St. Louis.
The strike began midnight on August 4, 2025, when IAM Union members walked out at Boeing facilities in St. Louis and nearby St. Charles.
Workers at these facilities, which are responsible for assembling and maintaining F-15 fighter jets and missile systems, were also joined by workers at another facility in Mascoutah, Illinois.
Boeing offered the union members a new package that the company claimed would deliver a 20% wage increase over four years, plus a $5,000 ratification bonus, but this proposal was rejected.
Boeing is now back at the negotiating table after stating in September that its previous proposal was its “last, best and final”, and said it would hire permanent replacements for those on strike.