Guy Norris/LOS ANGELES
BOEING PLANS to increase production of all models in 1997 in response to the recent surge in orders and strong indications of a continuing recovery in the industry.
The increase will take monthly output of all types to 27 aircraft by the second quarter of 1997, compared to 18.5 now. The revised rate will be the highest since Boeing's production peak of 39.5 aircraft a month in December 1991.
The bulk of the increase, is made up by the 737 family, particularly when assembly of the new generation, -600/-700/-800 gets into its stride. A large part of the rise is also attributable to the backlog of 737-300/-400/-500s. Production is set to rise from seven a month to eight and a half in the fourth quarter of this year and to ten a month from early 1997. Although this will lead to annual output of almost 120, it still pales in comparison with 1991 production when more than double this number of aircraft left the assembly line.
The rise in 737 output is not unexpected as the model accounted for almost half of the 346 Boeing aircraft ordered in 1995.
Production of 747s will rise from two a month to three and a half by the end of the year, and then to four in the second quarter of 1997, its highest rate since late 1993, when production peaked at five a month. Assembly of 757s is the only operation scheduled to contract for a period. It continues its downward slump from the present four a month to three later this year, its lowest monthly rate since the mid-1980s. Thirteen sales in 1995 have helped the longer-term backlog, however, and production is set to rise later to four a month.
Production of 767s, stimulated by 1995 sales of 26 aircraft and brighter prospects of further business in 1996, is set to rise from three and a half a month to four in the fourth quarter of this year. This rate, is expected to be maintained through to at least, the second quarter of 1997.
Assembly of the 777 rises from two to three and a half a month by the end of the year. Production is to stabilise after a further rise to five a month in early 1997. This is lower than had been widely expected, particularly since Boeing netted around 92 new 777 orders in 1995 and has begun 1996 in similar fashion. The Everett assembly line is designed to produce a maximum of seven 777s a month.
Source: Flight International
