Delivery of the best-selling model was frozen Wednesday after the United States joined the ranks of the global no-fly Boeing (BA.N) 737 MAX jetliner, industry sources said, although production activity remained uninterrupted.
The plane was banned from flying because of two crashes in five months. Airlines, aircraft industry experts, and financiers point out that although theoretically the no-fly ban does not hinder domestic delivery, most airlines will avoid receiving aircraft that cannot be put into operation.
"Who's going to take an airplane that's not on duty," said one aviation financier who asked for anonymity.
Boeing produces 52 planes a month, and the MAX series accounts for the bulk, but Boeing is reluctant to provide detailed figures.
Boeing continues to produce 737 plant materials in the suburbs of Seattle, and the company has been planning to accelerate production in June.
According to analysts'estimates, the monthly revenue delays caused by the grounding may be between $1.8 billion and $2.5 billion, but they can be recovered once the ban is lifted and aircraft delivered.
Hot Model No.: