Boeing launches biggest version yet of 737 short-haul jet, maintaining pressure on Airbus

Boeing Co. (NYSE:BA) has today launched the biggest version yet of the 737 short-haul jet, maintaining the pressure on its main rival, Europe’s Airbus.

The world’s largest commercial aircraft maker announced plans for the 737 Max 10, which can carry up to 230 passengers, at the Paris Air Show on Monday.

The airplane maker’s chief executive, Dennis Muilenburg told the BBC that the new variant of the jet, which already has more than 240 orders from 10 customers, will have the lowest operating costs of any single-aisle plane ever produced.

Boeing has had about 3,700 orders for the 737 Max family, which ranges from the 172-seat Max 7 to the 220-seat Max 9.

The Max 10 is 66 inches longer than the Max 9 at 143ft 8in (43.8m), but its slightly bigger passenger capacity means its range is 300 nautical miles less than the 3,515 of the Max 8 and 9.

737 production to increase to meet demand

Muilenburg said Boeing is increasing 737 production from 42 to 47 planes a month by the end of this year and will reach 57 annually by 2020 to meet demand,

The Boeing 737 competes with the Airbus A320neo family of jets that the European manufacturer introduced last year, with the A321neo carrying up to 240 passengers.

Boeing’s chief executive also told the BBC that the group is also evaluating demand for a new plane that would sit in between the largest 737 variant, and the 787 Dreamliner, and come into service in about 2024-25 if it goes ahead.

Story by ProactiveInvestors