Aircraft Orders & Deliveries
FAA Approves Boeing 737 MAX Production Increase to 42 Planes Monthly
FAA authorizes Boeing to increase 737 MAX production rate to 42 planes per month following safety improvements and ongoing oversight.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has authorized Boeing to increase its production rate for the 737 MAX aircraft, marking a significant development for the aerospace giant. On Friday, October 17, 2025, the agency announced it was lifting the production cap of 38 jets per month, allowing the planemaker to ramp up to 42 aircraft per month. This decision signals a degree of renewed confidence in Boeing’s manufacturing processes after a period of intense scrutiny and operational constraints.
The production limit was a direct regulatory response to a critical safety incident in January 2024, when a door plug detached from a new Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 mid-flight. That event triggered comprehensive investigations into Boeing’s quality control and manufacturing protocols, leading the FAA to impose the unprecedented cap to ensure safety and compliance. For nearly two years, the FAA has maintained heightened oversight, embedding inspectors in Boeing’s facilities and requiring the company to formulate and execute a thorough quality improvement plan.
Lifting the cap is a pivotal moment for Boeing, which has been working to stabilize its operations and rebuild trust with regulators, airlines, and the public. The move suggests that the FAA has observed sufficient progress in the company’s safety management systems and production line integrity to warrant a cautious increase in output. However, the agency has been clear that its rigorous oversight will continue unabated.
The FAA’s decision was not made lightly. It came after what the agency described as “extensive reviews of Boeing’s production lines to ensure that this small production rate increase will be done safely.” This methodical approach underscores the gravity of the situation and the regulator’s commitment to prioritizing safety above production targets. The cap was in place from January 2024 to October 2025, a period during which Boeing’s actual output often fell below the 38-plane limit due to internal challenges, including investigations and a machinists’ strike.
Throughout this period, FAA officials maintained a firm and deliberate stance. In September 2025, FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford noted that while progress was being made, it was happening at a pace dictated by safety verification, not by Boeing’s production goals. He emphasized a “bottom-up process,” where the final decision would depend on the assessments of FAA teams working directly on the factory floor. This hands-on oversight was crucial in verifying that systemic changes were taking root.
The increase to 42 planes per month is a modest step, but an important one. It allows Boeing to begin clearing its backlog of orders and signals to the market that it is on a path to recovery. The company has stated its intention to quickly ramp up to the new rate. This development follows another significant milestone in September 2025, when the FAA restored Boeing’s authority to perform its own final safety inspections and certify new 737 MAX aircraft, a privilege that had been revoked for over six years following the two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019.
“Progress is being made. It may not be as fast perhaps as Boeing would like but it is as fast as we can reasonably move through the process.” – FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford, September 2025.
The journey to this point has been fraught with challenges for Boeing. The Alaska Airlines incident was a stark reminder of the catastrophic potential of manufacturing flaws, reigniting concerns that many believed had been addressed after the 2018 and 2019 tragedies. The subsequent production cap created significant operational and financial pressures, impacting supply chains and delivery schedules for airlines worldwide. For much of the past year, Boeing’s focus has been less on speed and more on methodical, verifiable quality improvements.
In July 2025, Boeing reported that it had finally reached a consistent production rate of 38 aircraft per month in the second quarter, laying the groundwork to request an increase. The company has longer-term ambitions to push production rates even higher, with goals of 47 planes per month and beyond, contingent on continued FAA approval. Reports suggest Boeing is preparing for further increases in April and late 2026, potentially reaching around 53 aircraft per month by the end of that year. While the FAA’s approval is a positive sign, the agency has stressed that its increased oversight is the new normal. Inspectors will remain on-site at Boeing’s facilities, and the company’s performance will be under constant review. This sustained regulatory presence is intended to ensure that the safety and quality improvements are not just temporary fixes but are embedded into the company’s culture and daily operations. The ability to meet future production targets will depend entirely on Boeing’s ability to maintain these enhanced standards consistently.
The FAA’s decision to permit Boeing to increase 737 MAX production to 42 aircraft per month is a carefully measured vote of confidence. It acknowledges the progress Boeing has made in addressing the deep-seated quality control issues exposed by the January 2024 door plug incident. This move provides the manufacturer with a critical opportunity to stabilize its production line, fulfill its commitments to customers, and begin a more robust phase of its recovery.
Looking ahead, the path for Boeing is one of continued vigilance. The modest nature of the production increase, coupled with the FAA’s insistence on maintaining its heightened oversight, makes it clear that there is no room for error. The future of the 737 MAX program, and indeed Boeing’s reputation, hinges on the company’s unwavering commitment to the safety and quality protocols that it has been compelled to implement. The industry will be watching closely to see if this marks a true turning point toward a more resilient and safety-focused manufacturing culture.
Question: Why did the FAA impose a production cap on the Boeing 737 MAX? Question: What is the new production rate allowed for the 737 MAX? Question: Will the FAA continue its increased oversight of Boeing?
FAA Greenlights Boeing to Increase 737 MAX Production
A Cautious Path to Increased Production
The Broader Context and Future Outlook
Concluding Section
FAQ
Answer: The FAA imposed the cap in January 2024 after a door plug blew out mid-air on a new Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9. The incident raised serious concerns about Boeing’s manufacturing and quality control processes.
Answer: The FAA has authorized Boeing to increase its production from the previous cap of 38 planes per month to a new rate of 42 planes per month.
Answer: Yes, the FAA has stated that its increased oversight of Boeing’s production and quality control will continue. Safety inspectors will remain present in Boeing’s facilities to ensure standards are maintained.
Sources
Photo Credit: Boeing
Aircraft Orders & Deliveries
Biman Bangladesh Airlines Orders 10 Airbus A350 A321neo Jets
Biman Bangladesh Airlines finalizes a firm order for 4 A350-900s and 6 A321neos, completing a 35-aircraft 2026 procurement cycle.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines has finalized a firm order for 10 Airbus aircraft, marking a definitive shift toward a mixed-fleet strategy following a year of unprecedented procurement activity.
In a press release issued on October 7, 2026, Airbus confirmed the agreement covers four Airbus A350-900 widebody jets and six Airbus A321neo single-aisle aircraft. The deal diversifies the national carrier’s historically Boeing-dominated fleet and brings its 2026 acquisition pipeline to 35 new aircraft across both major manufacturers.
The introduction of Airbus equipment represents a structural change for Biman Bangladesh Airlines, which currently operates a fleet of 19 aircraft consisting primarily of Boeing jets and De Havilland Dash-8 turboprops. The signing ceremony took place in Dhaka, Bangladesh, while Airbus formally announced the order from its headquarters in Toulouse, France.
Biman intends to deploy the new aircraft across distinct network segments. According to statements published by The Daily Star, Biman Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kaizer Sohel Ahmed indicated the Airbus A350-900s will serve long-haul routes to provide lower fuel burn and emissions. The Airbus A321neos will be utilized to strengthen the carrier’s regional network and open new markets.
Ahmed emphasized that the procurement decision followed rigorous evaluation of the airline’s network and financial strategy, guided by independent expert advice.
Airbus Commercial Aircraft Executive Vice President of Sales Benoît de Saint-Exupéry described the agreement as a significant milestone in the manufacturer’s partnership with the airline.
“Together, the A350 and A321neo form the perfect fleet strategy for Biman as it spreads its wings to new international destinations, catering to the growing demand across its network,” Saint-Exupéry said. The Airbus agreement caps a massive procurement cycle for Biman Bangladesh Airlines throughout 2026. Prior to the October 7 announcement, the carrier committed to 25 Boeing aircraft across two separate orders.
On April 30, 2026, Biman ordered 14 Boeing aircraft, comprising Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Boeing 737 MAX models. This was followed on September 23, 2026, by an order for 11 additional aircraft, specifically five Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners and six Boeing 737-8s, according to reporting by Aviation Week.
The combined orders will drive a rapid expansion of the national carrier. Reporting by The Business Standard indicates the procurement pace will see Biman’s fleet grow from 19 to 54 aircraft by 2035. This figure exceeds the government’s previously stated target of 47 aircraft. The fleet expansion is anchored by strong demographic and economic drivers in Bangladesh. Airbus noted the country has a population of 200 million and a global diaspora of 15 million people, particularly concentrated in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. This diaspora maintains high baseline demand for international air travel.
“Bangladesh is a dynamic nation of 200 million people, backed by a resilient economy and a rapidly growing travel market,” said Rumee A. Hossain, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Biman Bangladesh Airlines. “In this context, our planned fleet expansion represents a measured and reasonable ambition.” Currently, more than 700,000 passengers travel annually between Dhaka and 10 major global cities. The Daily Star reports this specific market is expected to grow by an additional 500,000 passengers by 2030. Reuters notes that Biman currently serves approximately 20 percent of the country’s air passengers.
The exact delivery schedule for the Airbus aircraft remains unconfirmed by the manufacturer. However, Bangladesh Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat has publicly requested that Airbus deliver at least one aircraft by the 2026 to 2027 timeframe to expedite the modernization effort. Local media reports suggest the bulk of Biman’s 35 newly ordered aircraft, encompassing both Boeing and Airbus deliveries, will join the fleet between 2031 and 2035.
The decision by Biman Bangladesh Airlines to split its massive 2026 order book between Boeing and Airbus marks a definitive end to Boeing’s historical monopoly over the carrier’s jet fleet. While operating a mixed fleet introduces additional complexity in maintenance, crew training, and spare parts inventory, it also provides the airline with leverage in future negotiations and insulates its expansion plans from production delays at any single manufacturer.
The sheer scale of the expansion presents a significant execution challenge. Tripling the fleet size from 19 to 54 aircraft within a decade will require substantial parallel investments in pilot recruitment, maintenance infrastructure, and ground operations at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (DAC). The success of this multi-billion-dollar procurement cycle will depend heavily on the airline’s ability to scale its operational capacity to match its new metal.
Strategic fleet diversification
A year of rapid procurement
Market drivers and delivery timeline
AirPro News analysis
Photo Credit: Airbus
Aircraft Orders & Deliveries
Croatia Airlines Takes Delivery of Two Airbus A220-300s
Croatia Airlines receives its 12th and 13th A220-300s, advancing its 15-aircraft fleet renewal and nearing A319 retirement.
Croatia Airlines has taken delivery of two new Airbus A220-300 aircraft, bringing its next-generation fleet to 13 and signaling the imminent retirement of its legacy Airbus A319s.
The state-owned flag carrier announced the double delivery in an October 5, 2026, press release, marking a critical milestone in its 15-aircraft fleet renewal program. The aircraft arrived at Zagreb Airport (ZAG) from the Airbus facility in Mirabel, Canada, over consecutive days.
The two new Airbus A220-300s departed the Airbus manufacturing facility in Mirabel (YMX) on October 1 and October 2, 2026. According to flight routing details from AvioRadar, both aircraft transited through Copenhagen Airport (CPH) before touching down in Zagreb on October 2 and October 3, respectively.
Continuing the airline’s tradition of naming its aircraft after Croatian cities, the 12th fleet addition (registration 9A-CAW) is named “Karlovac,” while the 13th (registration 9A-CAX) is named “Sisak.” The newly delivered A220-300s are configured with a passenger seat capacity of 149. The carrier’s active A220 fleet now consists of 11 A220-300s and two smaller A220-100s, which seat 127 passengers, according to EX-YU Aviation News.
The arrival of the new airframes coincides with the final stages of Croatia Airlines’ transition to a single-type fleet. The airline is currently retiring its older Airbus A319s to make way for the A220s. EX-YU Aviation News reported that the final commercial flights for the A319 are tentatively scheduled for October 11, 2026, with one final rotation from Zagreb to Split, Rome, Split, and back to Zagreb planned for October 23, 2026.
This transition follows the retirement of the carrier’s last Airbus A320 earlier in the year. The final A320, registered as 9A-CTO, was withdrawn from service on January 26, 2026, concluding nearly three decades of operations for the type at the airline.
The fleet modernization program also extends to the carrier’s regional operations. The airline expects to withdraw its remaining De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 turboprops by March 2027.
Croatia Airlines is undertaking the largest fleet renewal project in its history, utilizing the Airbus A220 to modernize its operations. Designed specifically for the 100-150 seat market, the A220 provides the carrier with significant improvements in fuel efficiency and noise reduction compared to its previous-generation aircraft.
The airline expects to take delivery of its 14th Airbus A220 by the end of 2026. The 15th and final aircraft is scheduled for delivery in 2027, which will complete the fleet renewal program. According to EX-YU Aviation News, the final two aircraft are expected to be named “Varaždin” and “Vinkovci.”
Double delivery accelerates fleet modernization
Phasing out legacy Airbus and turboprop operations
Completing the 15-aircraft order
Photo Credit: Croatia Airlines
Aircraft Orders & Deliveries
ACG Delivers Sixth Boeing 737-8 to Royal Air Maroc
Aviation Capital Group completes a six-aircraft Boeing 737-8 lease with Royal Air Maroc, supporting the airline’s Vision 2037 fleet expansion.
Aviation Capital Group LLC (ACG) has completed a six-aircraft lease transaction with Compagnie Nationale Royal Air Maroc, delivering the final Boeing 737-8 to the Moroccan flag carrier on October 5, 2026.
The handover concludes an orderbook commitment initiated in March 2026, with all six CFM LEAP-1B-powered narrowbodies delivered within a six-month window. Announced in a press release by the Newport Beach, California-based lessor, the transaction provides immediate capacity for Royal Air Maroc as the airline executes a government-backed fleet expansion strategy ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
The delivery sequence began on March 31, 2026, when ACG announced the handover of the first Boeing 737-8 to Royal Air Maroc. Meeting the delivery schedule required coordination between the lessor, the airline, and The Boeing Company to ensure all six airframes entered service efficiently.
Carter A. White, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of ACG, highlighted the operational coordination required to meet the timeline.
“With this latest delivery, ACG marks the addition of the sixth 737-8 to Royal Air Maroc’s fleet in six months, a fantastic achievement by everyone involved,” White said in a statement. “We are proud to support the airline’s ongoing fleet renewal and expansion plans and wish the Royal Air Maroc team every success with these new aircraft.” The transaction adds to the portfolio of ACG, a global full-service aircraft asset manager founded in 1989 and operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of Tokyo Century Corporation. As of June 30, 2026, the lessor managed, owned, or had commitments for approximately 500 aircraft. These assets are distributed across roughly 85 airlines in about 50 countries.
The six leased Boeing 737-8 aircraft serve as a capacity bridge for Royal Air Maroc as it pursues a long-term growth mandate under the leadership of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Abdelhamid Addou. Based at Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca, the national carrier is operating under a government-backed development program dubbed “Vision 2037,” which was signed in July 2023. The airline is tasked with quadrupling its fleet size to support Morocco’s tourism targets. The country aims to attract 26 million visitors by 2030, the year it will co-host the FIFA World Cup.
According to reporting by Le360, Royal Air Maroc operated approximately 50 aircraft in 2021. The airline reached a fleet size of 70 aircraft in late September 2026 following the delivery of another Boeing 737 MAX 8, registered as CN-RHS. The carrier targets a total fleet of 74 aircraft by the end of 2026 and 88 aircraft by 2027, with an ultimate goal of 200 aircraft by 2037.
To secure the necessary airframes for the 2037 target, Royal Air Maroc launched a tender in April 2024 to acquire up to 200 aircraft directly from major manufacturers. While the airline evaluates those long-term procurement options, leasing agreements provide the short- and medium-term lift required to maintain network growth.
The capacity additions are already supporting new route development. Aviation Week reported that Royal Air Maroc has actively expanded its network throughout 2026. This expansion included the launch of a direct route from Casablanca to Los Angeles in June 2026 utilizing Boeing 787 aircraft, alongside planned frequency increases to destinations across Europe and Africa.
Executing the six-aircraft commitment
Royal Air Maroc’s Vision 2037 expansion
Photo Credit: Aviation Capital Group
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