The Federal Aviation Administration will let Boeing increase production of its 737 Max to 42 planes a month from 38, boosting the limit put in place after a fuselage panel blew off a jet midair early last year.
The regulator’s safety inspectors conducted extensive reviews of Boeing’s production lines to ensure the jet maker’s requested production rate increase will be done safely, an FAA spokesperson said Friday.
“Our direct oversight of Boeing’s production processes, implementation of its Safety Management System, and whistleblower protections has not changed,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
The FAA put the production limit in place weeks after a near-catastrophe on an Alaska Airlines flight in January 2024, in which a door plug ripped away from the plane shortly after takeoff and left a gaping hole in the side of the aircraft.
The agency blamed Boeing for emphasizing production over quality. Former FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said at the time that Boeing would not be allowed to expand production until quality control issues uncovered during the episode were resolved.
The Wall Street Journal reported last month that the FAA was expected to allow Boeing to boost 737 MAX production, among other concessions that could help the company deliver more newly produced aircraft to customers.
Boeing shares ticked up 1.3% to $215.75 after hours.
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Boeing secured orders for up to 75 787 Dreamliners and up to 150 737 MAX aircraft from Turkish Airlines.
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Boeing BA -0.59%decrease; red down pointing triangle secured sizable aircraft orders from Turkish Airlines and Norwegian Air Shuttle, a boost for the jet maker as it seeks to revamp its business.
The group said Turkish Airlines, formally known as Turk Hava Yollari, placed an order for up to 75 787 Dreamliners, its largest ever purchase of Boeing wide-body aircraft. The announcement comes after President Trump met Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Washington.
The deal includes 35 787-9 models, 15 of the larger 787-10 model and options for 25 787 Dreamliners. Boeing said Turkish Airlines also planned to buy up to 150 737 MAX aircraft in what would be its largest Boeing single-aisle order.
Meanwhile, Norwegian placed an order for 30 737-8 aircraft as it seeks to expand its services across Europe. In 2022, the low-cost carrier agreed to purchase 50 737s and has now exercised the option to order additional aircraft.
The companies didn’t disclose financial terms, but buyers typically receive steep discounts for big aircraft orders.
Boeing is seeking to regain its footing since the Alaska Airlines door plug blowout last year that raised pressure from airlines and regulators to ensure safety and quality in its production processes.
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Air Canada’s third-quarter revenue dropped 5%, with profit falling to C$264 million, following a three-day flight attendant strike in August.
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Air Canada AC 1.18%increase; green up pointing triangle is riding a rebound in premium and international travel to move past the fallout from its recent labor disruption that impacted third-quarter results.
Executives at the Canadian flagship airline said Wednesday on an earnings call that the return in demand is expected to carry through the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, particularly to transatlantic destinations, while winter bookings for Latin America are tracking ahead of last year. The gains are being driven by network expansion and vacation package offerings.
“Booking patterns rebounded soon after the disruption ended, underscoring brand strength and consistency in customer behavior,” Chief Commercial Officer Mark Galardo said.
Roughly 10,000 flight attendants walked off the job in August seeking better wages and compensation. The disruption lasted three days, despite calls from Canada’s Industrial Relations Board to return to work, forcing the carrier to ground all flights and temporarily withdraw its financial targets.
On Tuesday, after the markets closed, Air Canada disclosed the financial impact to results, with a 5% drop in revenue, while profit fell to C$264 million, or the equivalent of $186.5 million.
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Airlines and engine makers are deploying new measures to curb instances of toxic fumes leaking into cockpits and cabins as momentum builds toward fixing a chronic problem in the aviation industry.
The efforts follow a Wall Street Journal report in September that leaks of oil and other aircraft fluids into jet engines have surged in recent years, causing toxins to flood the cockpit and cabin via the so-called bleed air supply. In some cases, fumes have led to sickened passengers and in-flight emergencies, and caused long-term brain injuries and other illnesses that have permanently grounded crew.
In late September, Germany’s Lufthansa signed a preliminary deal for a new oil that is billed as safer than existing lubricants, according to a spokesman.
Other carriers, including Delta, Air France-KLM and Britain’s EasyJet have been pressing engine makers to approve the less-toxic lubricant or otherwise expressed interest in using it, according to documents and representatives for the companies.
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