NEW YORK: Boeing Co will increase 737 MAX production rates above the current rate of 31 jet per month “very soon,” the head of Boeing’s commercial airplanes business said on Thursday.

The company is also making progress with the new 737 MAX 7 model, which is “completing the final submittals” for Federal Aviation Administration certification, Stan Deal told reporters.

“We’ve got a handful - less than a handful - left to go to the FAA,” he said. “We’re working a few issues around those submittals. I want them to be perfect, I want the FAA to feel comfortable, and then give them the time to go review.” Last week, Chief Financial Officer Brian West reiterated Boeing’s expectation that the MAX 7 completes certification this year, paving the way for first delivery to follow later in 2023.

The company plans to increase monthly MAX production to 50 planes per month by the end of 2026.