Boeing delivered a record number of aircraft in June, showing signs of coming back to its original production targets before aircraft accidents in 2018. This month’s delivery was its highest since late 2023.
Deliveries climb to highest since door plug incident
Boeing delivered 60 airplanes in June, its highest monthly total since December 2023, as the aerospace manufacturer works to restore output of its 737 Max jets following a series of production and safety setbacks.
Of the total, 42 aircraft were 737 Max models, delivered to major customers including Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and United Airlines.
In January 2024, a door plug from a new 737 Max 9 aircraft blew out mid-flight, prompting renewed scrutiny of Boeing’s manufacturing processes.
The incident triggered a fresh crisis that temporarily slowed both production and deliveries, while also placing new regulatory constraints on the company.
Despite these challenges, Boeing appears to be regaining momentum, with CEO Kelly Ortberg, who assumed leadership in August 2023, emphasizing recent progress in stabilizing production lines and enhancing quality control.
Second-quarter deliveries hit post-2018 high
For the quarter ending June 30, Boeing delivered 150 aircraft, marking its best second-quarter performance since 2018, the year before the twin 737 Max crashes that triggered a prolonged crisis and a worldwide grounding of the jets.
This was also the last year Boeing posted an annual profit.
The improvement signals gradual recovery, though the company continues to face structural and reputational challenges.
Boeing’s longstanding issues have also allowed rival Airbus to extend its lead in the commercial aviation market.
Boeing’s production of the 737 Max stood at around 38 jets per month this spring, a figure capped by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) following the door plug incident.
Any increase beyond that level requires regulatory approval.
At a Bernstein investor conference in late May, Ortberg expressed confidence that the company could raise monthly output to 42 jets, pending FAA clearance.
Backlog and orders reflect steady demand
Despite production constraints, Boeing continues to see healthy demand.
In June, the company booked 116 gross aircraft orders, or 70 net orders after factoring in cancellations and accounting adjustments.
The company routinely updates its order book based on customer financial health and other commercial considerations.
As of June 30, Boeing’s backlog stood at 5,953 aircraft, underscoring the long-term demand for its planes even amid short-term turbulence.
Investors are likely to focus on how the company plans to manage this backlog while gradually increasing production and maintaining quality.
Boeing is set to report second-quarter financial results on July 29, and market attention will center on CEO Ortberg’s strategy for navigating regulatory hurdles, restoring profitability, and accelerating deliveries.
While June’s delivery numbers show promising signs of recovery, Boeing’s path forward remains complex, with operational stability, regulatory approval, and customer confidence all playing critical roles in its ongoing turnaround.
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