Boeing May Need To Halt Renton 737 MAX Production

RENTON, WA — Boeing said on Wednesday that it may have to stop 737 MAX production at the Renton plant amid questions over safety after two high-profile jetliner crashes.

737 MAX planes are grounded worldwide. If that restriction isn't lifted by the end of the year, Boeing may have to make cuts in Renton, CEO Dennis Muilenburg said in an earnings call Wednesday.

Boeing posted its biggest loss in history — $2.9 billion — in the second quarter. Meanwhile, Boeing shares were down almost 3 percent.

Boeing 737 MAX planes are piling up at company facilities in Seattle, Tukwila, and Renton. Planes are crowded in parking lots along East Marginal Way, and at the King County and Renton Municipal airports.