Boeing 777 freighter output halted for two months over supplier row – Reuters

 Boeing (NYSE) has suspended production of its 777 freighter for nearly two months following a dispute with a key parts supplier, Reuters reported Friday exclusively, citing company workers and court documents.

The disruption has also affected production of Boeing’s 767 aircraft, including commercial freighters and KC-46 aerial refuelling tankers used by the U.S. military.

The dispute centres on Florida-based supplier Vaero, which allegedly stopped delivering trailing-edge rib kits used in aircraft wing assembly.

According to an August legal complaint reviewed by Reuters, Boeing identified Vaero as the sole supplier of the critical component, describing the parts as essential to maintaining production.

The interruption was costing the aerospace manufacturer as much as $6.5 million daily, according to the complaint.

Although the companies settled in late September, production of the 777 freighter has not resumed, three Boeing workers familiar with the situation told Reuters.

Some components have since arrived for the 767 programme, allowing limited progress on affected aircraft.

Meanwhile, Boeing is reportedly working to bring manufacturing of the trailing-edge rib kits in-house to reduce its dependence on the supplier.

The disruption has forced the company to remove two partially assembled 777 freighters from its final assembly line in Everett, Washington.

One of those aircraft was identified through aviation consultancy IBA data as destined for FedEx (NYSE).

Boeing’s next-generation 777X programme has not been affected because it uses composite wings rather than the components involved in the dispute.

The company has delivered 21 777 freighters so far this year, according to its published delivery figures.

Several additional aircraft whose wings were assembled before the supply interruption could still be delivered before the end of 2026.

The production setback comes as Boeing faces continued pressure to stabilise manufacturing operations and maintain deliveries across its commercial and defence programmes.

Neither Boeing nor Vaero provided comments to Reuters, while FedEx also did not respond to requests for comment.