UBS analysts report that early January data indicate a rebound in Boeing’s 787 production following the customary year-end slowdown. Over the 30-day period ending January 9, Dreamlifter cargo flights—critical proxies for 787 structural assembly—rose by 69% year-over-year, suggesting a significant uptick in airframe throughput at Boeing’s Charleston and Everett facilities. The analysts highlighted concurrent increases in preliminary delivery activity, noting that supplier shipments of fuselage barrels and wing sections have accelerated by roughly 50% compared with December levels. This resurgence in production cadence is expected to support Boeing’s targets for 787 deliveries in the first quarter and may bolster free cash flow generation as inventory levels normalize.

On January 20, Boeing confirmed that Ethiopian Airlines finalized an order for nine 787-9 Dreamliners and an additional 11 737 MAX aircraft, boosting the carrier’s backlog by 20 fuel-efficient jets. The long-haul Dreamliners will expand Ethiopian’s network, which currently spans 145 international destinations across Europe, Asia, North America and key intra-African routes. Both orders were signed in December 2025, reflecting rising demand for point-to-point capacity and lower unit operating costs. Boeing’s vice president for Commercial Sales and Marketing in Africa emphasized that the 787 family’s 25% reduction in fuel burn and emissions aligns with Ethiopian’s sustainability objectives. For Boeing investors, the deal reinforces the 787 programme’s market position in growth markets and contributes to near-term production visibility.