Boeing has hit another snag in its effort to ramp up production of its popular 737 Max jet, a development that’s reverberating across the aerospace supply chain. According to industry sources reported by Reuters, the aerospace giant has informed suppliers that it is pushing back its key production milestone for the 737 Max by six months. Initially set to reach a production rate of 42 jets per month by September 2024, that target has now been delayed until March 2025. This marks another chapter in the ongoing struggle for Boeing, which has faced a series of challenges related to safety, regulatory hurdles, and now supply chain disruptions.

Delayed Milestone: A Six-Month Setback

The delay of Boeing’s production milestone has created ripples throughout its supply chain, frustrating suppliers and heightening uncertainty in an already complex global supply chain environment. Sources familiar with the matter indicated that the revised schedule will have Boeing producing 42 737 Max jets per month by March 2025, rather than the original goal of September 2024. For many suppliers, this change presents operational challenges. One industry source close to Boeing commented, “This shift isn’t just about Boeing; it’s about the entire supply ecosystem that relies on Boeing’s projections to plan their production timelines.”

Spirit AeroSystems, Boeing’s largest fuselage supplier, has already adjusted its output to accommodate the change. In August, the company lowered its fuselage production from 31 to 21 per month, reflecting the adjusted master schedule communicated by Boeing. Joe Buccino, a spokesperson for Spirit AeroSystems, explained, “We make adjustments in accordance with our agreements with Boeing, but such changes do create complexities when it comes to managing our own supply chain.”

The need for such delays stems from ongoing safety and regulatory issues, including the well-publicized incident in January when a door panel blew off mid-flight during a 737 Max test flight. This has led to additional regulatory scrutiny, further complicating Boeing’s efforts to accelerate production. As one industry analyst noted, “Boeing is in a constant dance with regulators, and every time there’s a safety incident, the choreography becomes more intricate and challenging.”

Supply Chain Strain: Impact on Smaller Suppliers

While large suppliers like Spirit AeroSystems have the flexibility to adjust, smaller suppliers are facing more severe challenges. Many smaller firms now find themselves grappling with the financial burden of slowing production while maintaining operations. These firms often carry the costs of materials and labor as work-in-progress inventories build up. One source within a smaller supplier expressed frustration, saying, “We’re carrying costs for parts that won’t be needed for another six months. That’s tough on a small business.”

Boeing’s revised schedule is leaving suppliers with difficult decisions about how to navigate the next several months. Some are exploring options to diversify their client base, looking to competitors such as Airbus or Embraer to offset the reduced demand from Boeing. Industry insiders suggest that the extended delays may cause some suppliers to rethink their long-term relationships with Boeing, opting instead for more stable production timelines from other manufacturers. “If Boeing can’t provide predictability, some suppliers may be forced to shift their focus to other OEMs like Airbus, which has its own challenges but at least maintains consistent communication,” said Addison Schonland, an aviation analyst.

Internal Moves: Boeing’s Organizational Restructuring

In response to the ongoing production challenges, Boeing is also reorganizing its internal teams to better coordinate between operations and contracts. One source familiar with Boeing’s operations mentioned that Boeing Commercial Airplanes is consolidating its operations and contracts teams to streamline communication between the company and its suppliers. The goal is to reduce the miscommunication that has plagued production schedules in the past and improve overall supply chain management.

Boeing’s leadership acknowledges the complexity of balancing production with supplier readiness. In a statement during Boeing’s second-quarter earnings call, CFO Brian West remarked, “Our objective remains to keep the supply chain paced ahead of final assembly to support stability. But we continue to make adjustments as needed and manage supplier by supplier based on inventory levels.”

Industry Implications: A Broader Aerospace Struggle

Boeing’s production struggles aren’t happening in isolation. Its chief competitor, Airbus, is also facing supply chain issues, though it has been more optimistic about meeting revised targets. Airbus has set a goal of delivering 770 planes by the end of 2024, but CEO Guillaume Faury acknowledged that the target remains a “big challenge” due to global parts shortages. The aerospace industry as a whole is navigating a post-pandemic environment marked by surging demand but constrained by supply chain disruptions and labor shortages.

🚨#BREAKING: Passengers onboard the terrifying midair door blowout on an Alaska Airlines flight were told by the FBI that they may be victims of a crime
⁰📌#UnitedStates | #USA ⁰⁰All 171 Passengers aboard the Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9, which experienced a midair door… pic.twitter.com/GctCwBGOyL

— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) March 22, 2024

For Boeing, the stakes are high. The 737 Max remains its best-selling jet, and delays in increasing production rates threaten to erode its competitive edge. Furthermore, labor tensions are brewing, with the president of Boeing’s largest union indicating that members may reject a contract deal, potentially leading to a strike at Boeing’s facilities near Seattle. If a strike occurs, it could further delay Boeing’s production targets and exacerbate supply chain issues.

The Road Ahead: Will Boeing Recover?

As Boeing grapples with its production delays and regulatory challenges, the road to recovery looks long and uncertain. Industry insiders believe that Boeing will need to navigate not just its internal production challenges but also external pressures from suppliers, regulators, and labor unions. A strike or further safety incidents could delay the 737 Max program even further, leaving Boeing in a precarious position in the competitive aerospace market.

Boeing’s ability to maintain strong relationships with its suppliers will be critical in the coming months. As one supplier put it, “We’re all in this together, but Boeing needs to ensure that we can weather this storm alongside them. If not, they risk losing more than just time—they could lose the trust of key partners.”

In a high-stakes industry where timing and reliability are everything, Boeing must find a way to get its production back on track, or it may find itself losing ground to its European competitor. For now, all eyes remain on March 2025, the next critical milestone for the 737 Max program.