Boeing has announced that it will increase production rates on the Next- Generation 737 programme to 34 aircraft per month in early 2012, from the current production rate of 31.5 airplanes per month. The planned rate increase is aimed at satisfying continued strong demand for the Next-Generation 737, said Boeing.

“The global economy continues to recover this year and we believe that airlines will return to profitability in 2011,” said Randy Tinseth, vice president of Marketing for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “We believe that there will be an increased demand for airplanes – especially in the market served by the Next-Generation 737 – in 2012 and beyond.” The airframe manufacturer has more than 2,000 unfilled orders from more than 80 customers around the world for the 737.