Boeing plans to increase production of its best-selling 737 narrow-body jetliner to a record level of at least 57 planes per month in July 2025, two people familiar with the matter said, reflecting rising orders and the company's recovery after the 737 MAX crisis. That would reach a goal the plane maker failed to achieve just a few years ago. In 2019, the 737MAX series was grounded worldwide due to two fatal plane crashes.

Boeing and its European rival Airbus have both set ambitious growth targets as air travel and plane sales rebound, with Airbus churning out in-demand single-aisle jets even faster than Boeing.

Boeing laid out the plan in the latest version of its supplier master plan, which it reiterated in mid-September, people familiar with the matter said.

Boeing declined to comment.

The plan aims to reach 42 737 production per month by December 2023, people familiar with the matter said, confirming statements made by Boeing Commercial Airplanes chief Stan Deal in an interview in June.

Monthly 737 production, which includes the 737 MAX and early models of military aircraft, will grow to 47.2 aircraft in June 2024, 52.5 aircraft in December 2024, and then reach a stable rate of 57.7 aircraft per month in July 2025.

Before the grounding of the 737 MAX in 2019, Boeing was producing 52 737s per month and has been moving towards a goal of 57.

Boeing announced a formal production target of 50 737s per month during 2025-2026 at an investor day in November last year. But Boeing Chief Executive Dave Calhoun said it could increase production to 60 planes per month as the company's orders increase, such as the nearly 200 MAX orders this year with Air India.

Calhoun said during an earnings call in July that the second half of 2024 will be a critical time for the company to prove it can keep its supply chain stable and maintain its growth plans.

"If we get through this and we execute well, then we will talk to all of you about 60 aircraft deliveries," Calhoun said. "But I don't want to rush it."

People familiar with the matter said it is not unusual for supplier plans to change due to a variety of factors, but it is an important signal for the supply chain that will allow smaller companies to make necessary investments.

In July this year, Airbus reiterated its monthly production target of 75 aircraft in 2026 for its best-selling A320neo family aircraft, which executives said was "progressing well."