Boeing delivered its highest number of 737 Max jets to China in almost six years in August, offering a glimmer of progress to new CEO Kelly Ortberg

Data from Boeing has revealed that the manufacturer has delivered the highest number of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to China this year since 2018. The manufacturer hopes to maintain this delivery rate to clear the backlog of aircraft earmarked for China, which would help reduce its costs and raise cash.

Boeing in August delivered its highest monthly total of 737 Max jets to China since the Covid-19 pandemic overturned the airline industry.

An unofficial analysis concludes that Boeing delivered hit a five-year high for monthly deliveries of its narrowbody jets to China – reducing the excess inventory of

Boeing sees increased 737 Max deliveries to China as positive amidst cash flow concerns and production issues.

Recently, a regulatory review from Chinese regulators forced Boeing to halt deliveries to Chinese customers. This meant that 787 Dreamliners and 737 MAX aircraft were not being delivered to China. At the end of June, deliveries resumed, and in August, numbers reached their peak in nearly half a decade.

Boeing (BA) delivered 40 commercial jets in August, including 32 Max jets. FAA has capped production due to safety concerns.

Boeing has pledged to boost production of its strongest selling jet, the MAX, to 38 per month by year's end. The U.S. planemaker is operating a slower assembly line since a Jan. 5 in-flight blowout of a door plug on a 737 MAX 9 jet that heightened regulatory scrutiny.