Aircraft
Boeing Warns of More Max Rate Cuts, Possible Line Shutdown
The U.S. airframer’s “best estimate” now calls for the 737 Max to return to service early in the fourth quarter.
An early-build Boeing 737 Max 9 taxis at Le Bourget Airport during the 2017 Paris Air Show. (Photo: David McIntosh)
An early-build Boeing 737 Max 9 taxis at Le Bourget Airport during the 2017 Paris Air Show. (Photo: David McIntosh)

Boeing is considering the possibility of lowering 737 Max production rates below the already decelerated pace of 42 per month if the airplane doesn’t return to service early in the fourth quarter and temporarily shutting down the production line in Renton, Washington, in the event of a more prolonged grounding, reported company CEO Dennis Muilenburg during the company’s second-quarter earnings call on Wednesday. The company projects it will submit a final package of software upgrades, including those needed to satisfy new Federal Aviation Administration requirements not related to the maneuvering characteristics augmentation system (MCAS), some time in September, he noted.