Boeing has begun the expansion of its South Carolina plant, home to the 787 Dreamliner program, with the goal of reaching a production rate of 10 aircraft per month by 2026. This expansion responds to solid growth in market demand and reinforces the company’s commitment to US manufacturing.
Project Details
In 2024, Boeing announced an investment of over $1 billion to improve its facilities near Charleston International Airport and its second campus. This ambitious plan includes the creation of more than 1,000 new jobs over the next five years.
Key new infrastructure includes:
- A final assembly building roughly the same size as the current one, at approximately 1.2 million square feet. It will include production positions, support areas, and offices.
- Additional facilities at the airport campus, such as a parts preparation area, a paint facility for vertical stabilizers, and flight line positions.
- Expansion of the Interiors Responsibility Center, where interior components for the 787 are manufactured.
Construction will be handled by the alliance of HITT Contracting and BE&K Building Group, and will employ more than 2,500 people, accumulating over 6.2 million work hours.
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787 Dreamliner: A Widebody Sales Leader
With over 2,250 orders from 90 customers, the 787 Dreamliner has established itself as the best-selling widebody airplane in history. Boeing has delivered more than 1,200 units and maintains a backlog of nearly 1,000 orders, including over 300 acquired in the last year alone.
According to Boeing’s Commercial Market Outlook, the industry will require more than 7,800 new widebody aircraft over the next two decades.
Stephanie Pope, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, emphasized: “We continue to see strong demand for the 787 Dreamliner family and its market-leading efficiency and versatility. This significant investment ensures Boeing is prepared to meet our customers’ needs in the years and decades to come.”
Impact on South Carolina
Boeing has operated in South Carolina since 2009, where it currently employs more than 8,200 people at its North Charleston and Orangeburg facilities. The site has been the sole production location for the 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 models.
A Firm Step Towards the Future
Boeing’s expansion in South Carolina not only addresses the growing demand for the 787 Dreamliner but also reaffirms the region’s strategic role in the global aerospace industry. With a historic investment, job creation, and strengthened production capabilities, Boeing is preparing to lead the market in the coming decades.
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