Boeing delivered 40 aircraft in August, down slightly from the previous month of 40 aircraft delivered.
The deliveries consisted of 32 737 MAX aircraft, edging closer to the 38 per month production cap imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA): a result of the Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 incident where a door plug blew out shortly after take off on a 737 MAX 9. The US manufacturer delivered 31 737 MAX aircraft in the previous month.
A spokesperson for Boeing had said prior that the OEM was aiming to reach the 38 cap in the second half of the year. It aimed to reach 42 737 MAX aircraft output per month by September 2024. However, Reuters reported, citing people familiar with the matter, that the target has been pushed back to March 2025. The outlet reported that FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said at a press conference that Boeing would need to ensure "safety metrics are exactly where they need to be" before the cap can grow.
Ryanair received six 737 MAXs, following its five deliveries last month. Air India received four, while Southwest and United received three. It also marks strong deliveries to China, with nine deliveries - all 737 MAXs - delivered to the country. It marks a strong return in deliveries to the region with Boeing restarting deliveries to the country in July. Chinese regulators have been strict on Boeing deliveries following the fatal Lion Air and Ethiopian Airline crash in 2018 and 2019, respectively.
With 42 deliveries so far to China in 2024, it marks the highest number of aircraft sent to China from Boeing since 2019. 45 aircraft were sent to the country in 2019. Last year, the OEM delivered only nine to the region.
Orders grossed 22 aircraft in August, including the previously announced 20 737 MAX aircraft order from EL AL Israel Airlines.
Boeing's backlog is now 5,490 aircraft.