BOEING PRODUCTION RATE INCREASES ACCELERATED TO MEET CUSTOMER DEMAND

KUALA LUMPUR, March 22 (Bernama) -- Boeing plans to increase its production
rate for both the 777 and 747 programmes.

In a announcement last friday, the company said the accelerated rate
increase will support increasing customer demand in the recovering airplane
market.

"Our customers recognise the great capability and value of the 777 and
747-8," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and Chief Executive Officer
Jim Albaugh in a statement here Monday.

"Market improvement and our conservatively managed approach to production,
have put us in a position, where we deem it necessary to raise aircraft output.
Increasing our rate is the right thing to do to support our customers," he
added.

The company will accelerate the 777 programmes's rate of increase to seven
airplanes per month, from five, by approximately six months, from
early 2012 to mid-2011.

The 747 production rate increase of two airplanes per month from 1.5, will
move from mid-2013 to mid-2012.

Suppliers for both the 777 and 747 are prepared to support the
accelerated rate increases.

"We see 2010 as the year of an overall economic recovery within the
industry and 2011, a to profitability," said Randy Tinseth,
Vice President of Marketing for Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

"As a result, we anticipate an increase in demand for airplanes in 2012 and
beyond," he added.

The current production rate decisions are not expected to have a material
impact on 2010 financial results.

The company will provide a complete guidance update when it releases the
first-quarter financial results.

-- BERNAMA



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