Boeing is taking "a hard look" at advancing 737 production to 42 aircraft per month.

Jim Albaugh, CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes says the airframer is examining a further production increase of its narrowbody output at its Renton, Washington facility.

Albaugh's comments came at the International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading (ISTAT) in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Boeing is currently ramping 737 production beyond 31.5 aircraft per month with plans to advance to 35 per month by early 2012, followed by a further jump to 38 aircraft per month by the second quarter of 2013.

Albaugh says the company continues debate over re-engining the 737 aircraft or designing a new aircraft sized larger than today's 737, though either way the 737 production will continue for at least 15 to 20 years.

As of the end of February, Boeing held an unfilled order backlog of 2,136 737s.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news