Boeing yet to restart 737 Max production after labor strike – report

Boeing (NYSE:BA) has not resumed 737 Max production after the labor strike and plans to slowly restart later this month, head of the Federal Aviation Administration Mike Whitaker told Reuters in an interview.

Whitaker met with Boeing (BA) CEO Kelly Ortberg this week and toured the 737 plant in Renton, Washington. “… we’re four weeks post-strike, and they’re still not producing airplanes, because they’re focused on their workforce, training, making sure they have the supply chain sorted out.”

Whitaker is planning another meeting in January after production of the 737 – Boeing’s (BA) top-selling aircraft – gets underway.

The FAA capped Boeing’s (BA) 737 production at 38 jets per month after a 737 Max 9 door plug debacle in January. Whitaker expects it’ll likely take several months before Boeing (BA) gets close to the 38-plane limit.

As for the Max 7, FAA certification is being held up by an engine de-icing issue. Whitaker expects a proposed fix later this month.