Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
CHICAGO (AP) - Boeing Co. is speeding up production of its 737 again as it aims to cut down a backlog for 3,400 of the jets.
The 737 is popular with short-haul airlines such as Southwest and European discounter Ryanair.
Boeing cranks out 38 per month now at its plant in Renton, Wash. It's aiming to speed up to 42 per month in the first half of next year. Its new announcement says it will go to 47 per month in 2017.
That's right around the time it will begin producing the 737 Max, a new version that has a new engine and other improvements.
Airbus is also boosting production of its competing A320, and is building a new assembly plant for that plane in Mobile, Ala.
(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
