Boeing Faces Manufacturing Flaw on Best-Selling 737 Max, Delays Deliveries

Boeing has announced that a new manufacturing flaw on its popular 737 Max aircraft will result in delayed deliveries. This setback comes as the company strives to hand over more planes to customers.

The flaw was discovered in the fastener holes on the aft pressure bulkhead of some 737 planes, which were improperly drilled. Spirit Aerosystems, the manufacturer of the fuselages, stated that only certain units are affected due to its use of multiple suppliers for the aft pressure bulkhead.

Boeing stated, “This issue will impact near-term 737 deliveries as we conduct inspections to determine the number of airplanes affected, and complete required rework on those airplanes.” The company will, however, continue delivering 737 Max aircraft that are not affected by the issue.

This manufacturing flaw is one among several that Boeing has disclosed in the 737 Max and other programs as it tries to increase production to meet the high demand from airlines during a travel boom. Last month, the company announced a transition to a production rate of 38 planes per month from 31.

Boeing did not mention whether this new issue would alter its forecast to deliver between 400 and 450 Max jets this year.

Spirit Aerosystems reassured that it will continue delivering fuselages to Boeing and does not anticipate a significant impact on its delivery range for the year due to this issue.

Between January and July of this year, Boeing delivered 309 planes to customers, falling behind rival Airbus, which delivered 381 planes during the same period.

The company clarified that this issue does not affect flight safety and airlines can continue to operate the planes. Boeing has also notified the Federal Aviation Administration about the flaw.

In after-hours trading, Boeing shares dropped by approximately 3%.