Payam Javan: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted Boeing permission to increase production of its 737 Max aircraft, marking a significant step for the aerospace manufacturer after last year’s Alaska Airlines mid-air incident. The new approval allows Boeing to produce up to 42 planes per month, an increase from the previous cap of 38, which had been imposed following the January 2024 accident involving a 737 Max 9 aircraft.

The FAA said its decision came after “extensive reviews” by safety inspectors, confirming that Boeing’s production processes met the necessary safety and quality standards. The regulator emphasized that safety remains its top priority and that it would continue strict oversight of Boeing’s manufacturing practices. Boeing, in turn, expressed gratitude to the FAA, its workforce, and suppliers for their efforts in preparing for the production increase.

The 2024 incident occurred when a door plug detached mid-flight from an Alaska Airlines-operated 737 Max 9, prompting an emergency landing and the temporary grounding of all similar aircraft. The National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) preliminary investigation later revealed missing bolts on the door plug, concluding that even one bolt could have prevented the failure.

In response to ongoing quality issues, the FAA has overhauled its oversight system, meeting weekly with Boeing to monitor progress on safety reforms. The regulator also recently reinstated Boeing’s limited authority to issue airworthiness certificates for new 737 Max and 787 jets, an authority that had been restricted following previous fatal crashes and quality lapses.