The Federal Aviation Administration will allow Boeing to increase production of its 737 MAX, clearing a hurdle the regulator put in place after a nearly catastrophic panel blowout last year.

The FAA capped Boeing’s MAX production at 38 planes per month after a door-sized panel flew off an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX in January 2024, revealing production lapses in Boeing’s Renton factory. On Friday, in a sign that the regulator believes the manufacturer has made improvements, the FAA said it would increase that cap to 42 planes per month.

“FAA safety inspectors conducted extensive reviews of Boeing’s production lines to ensure that this small production rate increase will be done safely,” the FAA said in a statement, adding that its “direct oversight” of Boeing will not change.

On Friday, U.

See Full Page