Boeing supplier freezes 737 MAX work
Boeing has told its biggest supplier to freeze a recently restarted production of parts for the 737 MAX to prevent creating a glut of new jets for airlines adjusting to the slump in demand amid the coronavirus pandemic. Spirit AeroSystems, which makes the fuselage and other parts for the MAX, said late Wednesday it had been asked by Boeing to halt efforts on four MAX jets and avoid starting work on 16 more planes. The moves highlight a sharp industry divide over how many planes Boeing and Airbus should make. Executives are split over whether airlines will opt for new planes or hold onto older aircraft as they recover from depressed demand. Boeing said it is continuing to resume the 737 MAX production it began two weeks ago, but has temporarily asked its biggest supplier to halt further work, likely reducing the number of new planes it makes this year. The primary reason doesn’t appear to stem from any new complication in securing essential federal safety approvals to return the MAX fleet to the air. “To reflect the slower ramp and align our supply inventories, we’re working closely with our suppliers to adjust delivery schedules and rate profiles as appropriate,” a Boeing spokesman said Thursday.<br/>
https://portal.staralliance.com/cms/news/hot-topics/2020-06-12/general/boeing-supplier-freezes-737-max-work
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Boeing supplier freezes 737 MAX work
Boeing has told its biggest supplier to freeze a recently restarted production of parts for the 737 MAX to prevent creating a glut of new jets for airlines adjusting to the slump in demand amid the coronavirus pandemic. Spirit AeroSystems, which makes the fuselage and other parts for the MAX, said late Wednesday it had been asked by Boeing to halt efforts on four MAX jets and avoid starting work on 16 more planes. The moves highlight a sharp industry divide over how many planes Boeing and Airbus should make. Executives are split over whether airlines will opt for new planes or hold onto older aircraft as they recover from depressed demand. Boeing said it is continuing to resume the 737 MAX production it began two weeks ago, but has temporarily asked its biggest supplier to halt further work, likely reducing the number of new planes it makes this year. The primary reason doesn’t appear to stem from any new complication in securing essential federal safety approvals to return the MAX fleet to the air. “To reflect the slower ramp and align our supply inventories, we’re working closely with our suppliers to adjust delivery schedules and rate profiles as appropriate,” a Boeing spokesman said Thursday.<br/>
