Boeing to Restart Airplane Production at Puget Sound

Boeing has announced a restart of aircraft production following a two-week suspension even as one of its suppliers, Kawasaki Heavy said it would suspend parts manufacture for the 787 Dreamliner jet.

The company on Thursday said it will resume all commercial airplanes production at Puget Sound-region, tasked with building 747, 767, 777 and 787 aircraft, in a “phase manner.” Activities at Boeing South Carolina remains suspended.

“Employees in the Puget Sound for the 737, 747, 767 and 777 will return as early as third shift on April 20 with most returning to work by April 21.  Employees for the 787 program will return as early as third shift April 23, with most returning to work by April 24,” the company said on April 16.

Boeing also wants to restart production of its troubled 737 MAX airplane, involved in two fatal crashes in 2018, soon. According to reports, first quarter order cancellations for the 737 MAX jet stands at 191. “The 737 program will resume working toward restarting production of the 737 MAX,” Boeing said.

A day later, Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., located in Japan’s Aichi prefecture, stated it will temporarily stop manufacturing components for Boeing 787 Dreamliner at its domestic factory.

“This decision was taken in light of the temporary manufacturing suspension of 787 production operations at the Boeing company affected by the spread of COVID-19 and the effects on the global supply chain. The production of other products will be continued,” Kawasaki said.

The Japanese facility is tasked with manufacturing forward section of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner plane’s fuselage, main landing gear well, and fixed trailing edge.