By Vaibhav Agrawal
In order to allay concerns about the supply chain, it has been reported that Boeing is considering installing engines from the substantial stock of finished 737 MAX aircraft in the storage on freshly constructed MAX aircraft.
The 290 737 MAX aircraft maker may take the CFM LEAP-1B engines out of storage and install them on brand-new production aircraft as they leave the final assembly line in Renton, Washington. Additionally, Boeing may take MAX seats to reinstall them on brand-new production aircraft.
The decision was made amid a global shortage in the supply chain, which is making it difficult for engine suppliers in particular to meet demand.
Boeing produces up to 30 sets of counterweights for the stored aircraft. Once the aircraft’s heavy jet engines are removed, these can be used to keep the craft from toppling backwards onto its tail. If engine producer CFM cannot deliver engines on time, counterweights may also be used for MAX aircraft in new production.
Out of the 290 Boeing 737 MAXs currently in storage, at least 140 were made for Chinese airlines. The nation, the first to ground the aircraft in March 2019 after fatal crashes in Ethiopia and Indonesia, has not yet given the type permission to resume passenger service.
For instance, China Southern Airlines (ZNH) decided to cut 100 Boeing 737 MAX planes from its near-term delivery plan, which means that instead of 181 jets that were supposed to join the airline through 2024, it will now only accept a total of 78 MAX deliveries.
