OREANDA-NEWS. Boeing (NYSE: BA) highlighted the critical role its global supply chain plays in production of the 737, as it celebrated the 7,500th delivery of the world's most popular airplane.

The Next-Generation 737 has about 400,000 parts per airplane that are built by more than 325 suppliers in 30 countries, including the United States, Canada, China, France and South Korea. There are U.S. suppliers to the 737 program in 41 U.S. states and Puerto Rico.

"Boeing's suppliers around the world are valued partners to the 737 program," said Kent Fisher, Boeing Commercial Airplanes vice president and general manager of Supplier Management. "The success of the 737 shows what is possible when we partner with the world's best aerospace companies. Our long-term competitiveness in the marketplace depends on a continued focus on quality, reliability and affordability."  

The Next-Generation 737 has an incredible record of reliability, with 99.7 percent of flights ready to depart within 15 minutes of schedule. Supplier partners contribute significantly to that reliability, providing the engines, landing gear, avionics, electrical systems and other mission-critical equipment.

Over the next 20 years, Boeing has projected global demand for 23,240 single-aisle airplanes valued at USD 2 trillion. To meet that demand, Boeing is in the process of increasing 737 production from 38 to 42 airplanes per month in the first half of 2014.

The 7,500th 737 to come off the production line was delivered to Malaysia-based Malindo Air. The 737 family is the best-selling commercial jet in history, with total orders exceeding 10,500 airplanes from 265 customers. On average, more than 2,000 737 airplanes are in the air at any given time, and a 737 takes off or lands every two seconds.

Starting with deliveries in 2017, the new 737 MAX will build on the Next-Generation 737's popularity and reliability while delivering unsurpassed fuel efficiency in the single-aisle market. Already a market success, the 737 MAX has accumulated more than 1,100 orders from 16 customers worldwide.