Boeing has tried to keep a semblance of order whilst the 737 MAX grounding was in force. Part of that semblance was gone yesterday after the announcement that they were suspending production of the type.
Remaining Grounded for now and facing a production suspension – Image, The Boeing Company.
Whilst the grounding of the 737 MAX was in process, Boeing continued to manufacture the type – with 400 aircraft currently in storage. The airframer has been attempting to evaluate production – and as a result, they have decided to prioritise the delivery of stored aircraft and temporarily suspend production on the 737 programmes beginning next month (January 2021)
Boeing explain
We believe this decision is least disruptive to maintaining long-term production system and supply chain health. This decision is driven by a number of factors, including the extension of certification into 2020, the uncertainty about the timing and conditions of return to service and global training approvals, and the importance of ensuring that we can prioritize the delivery of stored aircraft. We will continue to assess our progress towards return to service milestones and make determinations about resuming production and deliveries accordingly.
At this time, affected employees will continue 737-related work, or be temporarily assigned to other teams in Puget Sound area.
Beyond Renton and Washington State.
However, there are a lot of contractors who are attached to the 737 MAX Project who will now have serious questions to ask – such as Spirit Aerosystems (who manufactrure the fusalage), CFM (who manufcacture the LEAP engines), Collin Aerospace, Zodiac – as well as smaller contractors. Over 600 companies will be hit in the process who will have to work out if they can divert resources elsewhere or have to lay off people in the meantime until the 737 MAX production can kick off again.
Pushing back re-entry to service
With a grounding now extending beyond nine months, and airlines not planning to timetable in aircraft in for service until March 2020 at the earliest, however much Boeing wants to get the type through the gaunlet of tests and corrections needed to get production back on stream.
Suffice to say, Boeing and its suppliers is going to have to its work cut out in terms of pausing production, holding onto the workforces, as well as contining to work with regulators to get the type flying again.
And that will include all the 737 MAX aircraft manufacutred, both those parked up at Boeing facilities and at customer sites.
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Boeing explain
We believe this decision is least disruptive to maintaining long-term production system and supply chain health. This decision is driven by a number of factors, including the extension of certification into 2020, the uncertainty about the timing and conditions of return to service and global training approvals, and the importance of ensuring that we can prioritize the delivery of stored aircraft. We will continue to assess our progress towards return to service milestones and make determinations about resuming production and deliveries accordingly.
At this time, affected employees will continue 737-related work, or be temporarily assigned to other teams in Puget Sound area.
Beyond Renton and Washington State.
However, there are a lot of contractors who are attached to the 737 MAX Project who will now have serious questions to ask – such as Spirit Aerosystems (who manufacture the fuselage), CFM (who manufacture the LEAP engines), Collin Aerospace, Zodiac – as well as smaller contractors. Over 600 companies will be hit in the process who will have to work out if they can divert resources elsewhere or have to lay off people in the meantime until the 737 MAX production can kick off again.
Pushing back re-entry to service
With a grounding now extending beyond nine months, and airlines not planning to timetable in aircraft in for service until March 2020 at the earliest, however much Boeing wants to get the type through the gauntlet of tests and corrections needed to get production back on stream.
Suffice to say, Boeing and its suppliers are going to have to its work cut out in terms of pausing production, holding onto the workforces, as well as continuing to work with regulators to get the type flying again.
And that will include all the 737 MAX aircraft manufactured, both those parked up at Boeing facilities and at customer sites.
Welcome to Economy Class and Beyond – Your no-nonsense guide to network news, honest reviews, with in-depth coverage, unique research as well as the humour and madness as I only know how to deliver.
Follow me on Twitter at @EconomyBeyond for the latest updates! You can also follow me on Instagram too!
Also remember that as well as being part of BoardingArea, we’re also part of BoardingArea.eu, delivering frequent flyer news, miles and points to the European reader.