Boeing to increase production on 737 to 34 per month, betting on demand in 2012

Boeing to speed 737 production to 34 per month

CHICAGO — Boeing Co. says it will speed up production on its 737 in 2012, betting that demand by airlines will increase as the economy recovers.

The 737 is a workhorse for airlines around the world, and Boeing builds more than one a day — 31.5 a month. It says it will increase that to 34 per month in early 2012. The plane is made at Boeing’s factory in Renton, Wash.

Boeing is predicting that airlines will be profitable in 2011 and that demand for planes such as the 737 will increase in 2012. Boeing already has a backlog of 2,000 of the planes, from more than 80 customers.

Boeing says the higher production rate will not affect its financial results this year.