Boeing suffers from incorrectly drilled holes in 737 MAX 8 aircraft still to be delivered. According to the American aircraft manufacturer, supplier Spirit AeroSystems incorrectly drilled holes in a component that maintains the air pressure in the cabin. The holes do not cause safety problems, according to the bureau of the US aviation authorities, but repair is necessary. In the short term, Boeing can therefore deliver fewer 737 MAX aircraft.

It is not known how many aircraft are involved. Boeing reports that well-drilled aircraft of the type will be delivered. The problem occurs with the MAX 8, the aircraft manufacturer is checking whether the problem also occurs in the production of older models. Spirit reports making changes to resolve the issue.

The first delivery of MAX 8 aircraft to Malaysia Airlines, next week, is in any case affected by the problem, says Boeing. The builder is considering whether Boeing will still meet its production targets for this year. Last month, Boeing increased the production of 737 MAX aircraft from 31 to 38 per month, and the aircraft manufacturer wants to make fifty aircraft of this type by 2026 at the latest. Now that demand for air travel has recovered from the corona crisis, airlines are looking to expand their fleets and builders are trying to deliver new aircraft quickly.

Two months ago, Boeing announced that it would have to postpone the delivery of about ninety 787 Dreamliner aircraft due to a production error. The 787 involved incorrectly sized gap fillers.

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* Origin: AVIATION ECHO HQ (2:292/854)