Boeing Clears Final 737-8 From Storage

Boeing has completed the reactivation of the last Boeing 737-8 that had been in long-term storage since the global grounding of the MAX fleet in 2019. The milestone closes a chapter in which nearly 500 aircraft were parked and underwent extensive rework before delivery.

The final jet, line number 7813, was originally built for Air China and first flew in November 2019. It was stored directly afterward due to the grounding and carried the temporary U.S. registration N56807 before departing Moses Lake on August 12 for Victorville. Air China has confirmed plans to add eight new 737s in the second half of 2025 and more in 2027, though none in 2026.

The 737 MAX grounding, triggered by two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019, lasted from March 2019 to November 2020 in the U.S., with other countries lifting restrictions later. Deliveries were further slowed by the COVID-19 pandemic, as airlines deferred fleet growth. Boeing continued producing aircraft throughout the grounding, forcing it to store hundreds of jets at facilities across Washington, Texas, and California.

Known internally as “shadow factory” operations, the rework process included upgrades, safety modifications, and detailed inspections to return the jets to airworthiness. Boeing CFO Brian West confirmed the company expects to shut down the shadow factory during the third quarter of 2025.

As of July 2025, Boeing’s backlog for the 737 MAX family stands at 4,856 aircraft, with 243 delivered so far this year toward a goal of over 400.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com

Tags: chaviation, SyndicEx250831B

Boeing Clears Final 737-8 From Storage

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