FAA says Boeing must improve quality before increasing 737 production

Before the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration permits Boeing to increase 737 MAX production, the planemaker must fix quality issues and enhance its safety culture, according to the agency's chairman.

In response to a mid-air emergency on an Alaska Airlines jet, the FAA denied Boeing's request to increase 737 MAX production in late January.

In an interview with Reuters on Tuesday, FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker stated that the agency has not yet started talking to Boeing about increasing 737 production and that it will only approve a rise as long as Boeing is "running a quality system safely."

Whitaker stated he intends to use the resources at his disposal to hold Boeing responsible.

Boeing declined to comment immediately.

Whitaker stated that Boeing is allowed to produce 38 737 planes per month, but actual production is lower; he did not elaborate.

Brian West, Boeing's chief financial officer, said last month that the company will produce less than 38 737 aircraft in the first half of the year. Subject to FAA constraints, he anticipates an increase in productivity to 38 per month in the second half.

Boeing's ability to successfully execute these modifications in the safety culture and raise their quality standards to the required level will determine when the FAA, according to Whitaker, will grant permission to increase the 737 MAX production rate.