737 final assembly

Boeing has unveiled plans to increase production of its single-aisle 737 aircraft to 52 per month in 2018, from the current 42, as part of its efforts to meet demand and strengthen its presence in the market.

If the company proceeds with the proposed plans, the 737 programme will have an output of over 620 aeroplanes a year.

Boeing Commercial Airplanes marketing vice-president Randy Tinseth said: "For over a decade we have seen resilient demand for the 737 and a rate increase to 52 per month reflects the appetite for airplanes like the 737 MAX and Next-Generation 737.

"Our thorough analysis tells us the single-aisle market continues to expand and is the fastest growing, most dynamic segment of the market."

The Chicago-based company earlier said it would raise production of 737 jetliners to 47 per month by 2017.

"The 737 family airliners have secured more than 12,100 orders to date."

In its 2014 Current Market Outlook report, Boeing projected demand for over 25,000 single-aisle aircraft over the next 20 years, worth $2.56tn.

The 737 family airliners have secured more than 12,100 orders to date, including around 6,800 orders for the Next-Generation 737 and over 2,200 for the 737 MAX.

Boeing has a backlog of more than 4,000 orders across the 737 variants.

On the other hand, the European aircraft maker Airbus plans to increase production of its single-aisle A320 jets to 46 per month in 2016 from the current 42 aircraft, and to 50 aeroplanes at a later date, reported Reuters.

Image: Boeing currently manufactures 42 737s per month at its Renton, Washington facility. Photo: courtesy of Boeing.

Defence Technology