Boeing is reportedly accelerating the transfer of all production of 787 aircraft to its North Charleston, South Carolina plant.
In an internal memo to the aircraft’s 787 employees, first reported in The Seattle Times on December 23, the Chicago-based company said the consolidation will take place in March 2021.
This is faster than the previously announced schedule, announced in October, which had production leaving the Everett plant in the Seattle area in “mid-2021”. In addition, a cut in the previously announced production rate will also be implemented at this time, says the memo.
In confirming the existence of the memo, Boeing declined to comment on its content.
“As we continue to conduct comprehensive inspections on 787s undelivered to ensure that each meets our highest standards before delivery, we are taking advantage of our facilities in Everett and South Carolina to complete inspections and any rework as needed” , the airframer told FlightGlobal.
“As we previously shared, we are reducing our production rate from the 787 from six planes per month to five planes per month in 2021. As we make this transition, our 787 teammates in Everett will complete inspections and any rework as needed,” Boeing adds.
Earlier this month, Boeing had said it would reduce its production rate to five a month by the middle of next year, with the rate change coming as Boeing accumulates a growing fleet of 787s undelivered. Jet deliveries were delayed by the pandemic and by special inspections conducted by Boeing after reporting structural problems with the rear section of the jet fuselage.
Boeing delivered just 53 787s this year through November – which is on average less than five jets per month.
In 2019, Boeing produced 14 Dreamliners per month.
Moving all 787 production to its North Charleston, South Carolina plant is an effort to cut costs and restructure in the wake of the twin crisis that dramatically affected the aerospace industry in 2020: the coronavirus pandemic and the 20-month strand of the 737 Max.
With the 737 Max returning to the air after FAA recertification on November 18, airframer is now looking to focus on solving problems with the Dreamliner and adjusting its production to accommodate the lower demand for international travel as the global health crisis looms. drags.
In September, Boeing said it was inspecting the jets, after reports of problems with sections of the rear fuselage and shims. At the time, the fuser ordered eight recently built 787s to be taken out of service, which were identified as suffering from two “distinct manufacturing problems”. The company did not disclose further details, such as which airlines were affected or when these eight aircraft were built or at which facilities.