Guy Norris/SEATTLE
BOEING IS TO boost production of its 737 to 17a month by January 1998, and is studying more increases that could see production exceeding the record-breaking rates of the early 1990s, when 21 aircraft a month were being built at Renton in Washington.
Production is accelerating faster than expected, even taking into consideration the mushrooming 737-600/700/800 orderbook which now officially stands at 302. Unannounced orders take the total to more than 350, and further deals are being negotiated, which could take the backlog to around 400 by the time of the Farnborough air show in September. Continental Airlines and leasing company Ansett Worldwide are among those believed to be in negotiations.
"We're back to challenging the supplier's capacity on rates, but this time we're trying to do it in a little more organised fashion," says Jack Gucker, 737-600/ 700/800 programme director. He adds: "We have reached 21 a month in the past, but we're working on a little more a month this time."
The build-up begins in January 1997, when the rate will start to move from ten a month to 12 by the second quarter. By the end of 1997, the rate will be 15 a month, with the increase to 17, taking effect at the start of 1998. The first member of the new family, the -700, is due to have its maiden flight in February 1997, with the -800 following in July. The -600, which was the last to be launched, will be flown for the first time in January 1998.
Total announced orders for the -700 account for more than the other new models combined, at 176. Boeing also holds a backlog of around 240 737-300/400/500s.
Around 96% of the parts and tooling of the -700 have been released to manufacture and the first complete fuselage, along with its tail piece in a separate container, is due to arrive in Seattle in early September. Design release has, meanwhile, reached 52% on the -800, and around 8% on the -600.
Source: Flight International
