Boeing unveils new 737 MAX production line as aviation giant charts comeback

Boeing marked another step in its 737 MAX comeback by unveiling expanded production for the jet at a new $1 billion “North Line” production line in Everett, Washington. The ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday drew hundreds of Boeing employees, along with commercial airlines chief Stephanie Pope and Washington state officials. Boeing said the facility will ramp up gradually, with the first MAX 10 fuselage assembly just beginning, and operations spread across 10 “flow days” for adding wings and fitting engines, seats and other components. The North Line is designed to lift MAX output from 47 per month to 63 and possibly higher, under oversight by federal aviation regulators. Boeing is training 1,000 staff for the site, about half from Renton, where MAX assembly had been exclusive until this week. Boeing declined to provide a timetable for when the first Everett-built aircraft would complete production.