After announcing plans in March of this year to boost 777 production from five to seven aircraft per month in mid-2011, Boeing today said it is increasing monthly production of aircraft to 8.3 in the first quarter of 2013.

"In response to strong customer demand globally, we are increasing our yearly production to 100 777s," says Boeing Commercial Airplanes chief executive Jim Albaugh. The airframer states that suppliers are prepared to support the rate increase.

 Boeing 777

 
  

Currently Boeing has a backlog of 250 aircraft in its 777 programme.

Boeing's decision to raise 777 production rates follows a 12 November announcement by rival Airbus that it would build nine long-haul aircraft per month beginning in the first quarter of 2012.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news