Boeing cuts production of 787s as new structural problem is discovered

SEATTLE, July 13 (Reuters) – Boeing Co (BN) on Tuesday announced it would cut its production rate by 787 amid a new production-related structural flaw in its two-aisle airliner program in difficulty.

The company now plans to deliver less than half of the roughly 100,787 in its inventory this year – instead of the “vast majority” it expected – as it continues forensic inspections and costly repairs to it. remedy the quality defects of the aircraft.

Boeing did not disclose a new production rate for the 787 program, but said it would temporarily drop below the current rate of five jets per month.

For the year so far, the company has shipped 156 jets of all types, up from 157 for all of 2020, he said.

The latest new issue, first reported by Reuters on Monday, concerned shortcomings where components are assembled in a forward pressure bulkhead, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said.

The FAA said Monday evening that Boeing, which detected the problem, would fix it before the planes were delivered.

The U.S. aircraft manufacturer’s 737 MAX and 787 have been hit by electrical faults and other issues since late last year, and it only resumed deliveries of the 787 in March after a five-year hiatus. month.

“We will continue to take the time necessary to ensure that Boeing aircraft are of the highest quality prior to delivery,” said Boeing.

In June, Boeing recorded 146 aircraft orders. That net figure takes into account cases where the buyer converted an order to another model or canceled it entirely, including 71 737 MAX jets, the company said.

Its order book grew from 4,121 to 4,166 aircraft, Boeing said.

Boeing handed over 45 planes to customers in June, its highest monthly total since March 2019, when the second of two fatal 737 MAX crashes occurred.

Its June delivery tally includes 10 wide-body aircraft, including a 787-9 for Turkish Airlines, Boeing said.

It also delivered 35,737, including 33,737 MAX and two P-8 maritime patrol aircraft to the US Navy.

Reporting by Eric M. Johnson in Seattle

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