Transportation
Boeing Blocked From Building More 737s in Hit to Growth Plan
- Agency approved inspections needed for Max 9 to fly again
- CEO Calhoun to address investors in Jan. 31 earnings call
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Boeing Co. faces a major commercial setback after the US Federal Aviation Administration froze planned production increases for its 737 Max aircraft, a move that interrupts the planemaker’s growth ambitions at a time of surging demand and intensifying competition with Airbus SE.
The regulator said late on Wednesday that it wouldn’t allow any further output increases of Boeing’s most important model. At the same time, it approved the inspection procedures that airlines must carry out in order for the 737 Max 9 to resume flights. The largest Max variant was grounded earlier this month after one operated by Alaska Airlines was involved in a near-calamity.