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Boeing Co (BA -0.24%)
Q3Â 2019 Earnings Call
Oct 23, 2019, 10:30 a.m. ET
Contents:
- Prepared Remarks
- Questions and Answers
- Call Participants
Prepared Remarks:
Operator
Thank you for standing by. Good day, everyone, and welcome to the Boeing Company's third quarter 2019 Earnings Conference Call. Today's call is being recorded. The management discussion and slide presentation, plus the analyst and media question-and-answer sessions are being broadcast live over the Internet.
At this time for opening remarks and introductions, I'm turning the call over to Ms. Maurita Sutedja, Vice President of Investor Relations for the Boeing Company. Ms. Sutedja, please go ahead.
Maurita Sutedja -- Vice President of Investor Relations
Thank you, John and good morning. Welcome to Boeing's third quarter 2019 Earnings Call. I'm Maurita Sutedja and with me today is Dennis Muilenburg, Boeing's President and Chief Executive Officer; and Greg Smith, Boeing's Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of Enterprise Performance & Strategy. After management comments, we will take your questions.
In fairness to others on the call, we ask that you please limit yourself to one question. As always, we have provided detailed financial information in our press release issued earlier today. And as a reminder, you can follow today's broadcast and slide presentation through our website at boeing.com.
Before we begin, I need to remind you that any projections, estimates and goals we include in our discussion this morning are -- likely to involve risks which are detailed in our news release, in our various SEC filings and in the forward-looking statement disclaimer at the end of this web presentation.
In addition, we refer you to our earnings release and presentation for disclosures and reconciliations of non-GAAP measures that we use when discussing our results and outlook.
Now I will turn it over to Dennis Muilenburg.
Dennis A. Muilenburg -- President and Chief Executive Officer
Thank you, Maurita, and good morning. This month marks the one-year anniversary of the Lion Air, Flight 610 accident. It's been roughly seven months since the Ethiopian Airlines, Flight 302 accident. Not a day goes by, where my team and I don't think about these accidents. They weigh heavily on us and we will never forget the lives lost aboard those flights. We are sorry and we continue to extend the deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones. These accidents affect all of us personally and reinforce the importance of the work we do. We know lives depend on it and nothing is more important to us than the safety of all those who fly on our airplanes.
Let me walk you through the latest developments regarding 737 MAX on the next slide. Our priority remains supporting the safe return to service of the MAX and assisting our airline customers and operators through this difficult time. We are working daily with the FAA and global regulators on the process they have laid out for certifying the 737 MAX software and training updates and un-grounding the global fleet.
Again, I want to express our regret for the difficulties that the release of an instant message document on Friday has presented to the FAA and other regulators and we understand entirely the scrutiny it's receiving. We are committed to working with the investigative authorities and the US Congress, as they continue their investigations. We are focused on going forward. As we have shared, we completed the MCAS software update earlier this year, which addresses concerns found following the two MAX accidents, and provides three additional layers of protection to prevent accidents like these from ever happening again.
To date, we've conducted more than 800 test and production flights totaling more than 1500 hours with the updated software, which incorporates feedback from across global regulators and MAX operators. We are making steady progress on the second software update announced in June for additional flight control computer redundancy, to eliminate the possibility of even -- extremely unlikely risks that are unrelated to the accidents. In the upcoming days, Boeing will complete additional testing of this software update and conduct multiple simulator evaluations and reviews, leading up to a certification flight with the FAA on-board.
Just last week, the company successfully conducted a dry run of the certification flight test. We're making daily progress on these important certification steps. We have brought the very best to Boeing to [Phonetic] this effort, dedicating all resources necessary to ensure that the improvements to the 737 MAX are comprehensive and thoroughly tested, that includes spending over 100,000 engineering and test hours on their development.
Looking forward, we target regulatory approval for the 737 MAX return to service to begin this quarter. As we've said before, however, it's the FAA and other regulatory authorities who will ultimately determine the timing and conditions of return to service in each relevant jurisdiction. This may include a phased approach and timing may vary by jurisdiction.
During this process, we have been working closely with the FAA and other regulators. We provided documentation, had them fly the simulators and helped them understand our logic and the design for the new software. All of their questions are being answered. The process is dynamic and involves constant dialog with government agencies, that will continue in the days and weeks ahead.
In preparation for the safe return to the 737 MAX to service, we have worked to build the trust and confidence of our customers and regulators, we've partnered with customers and pilots from around the world as we've developed our solutions. We have welcomed and encouraged their questions and giving them opportunities to test those solutions first hand in our simulators. We have hosted 545 participants for more than 140 customers and regulators around the globe to experience the software updates in our simulator sessions.
We have also conducted 20 global conferences with more than 1,100 participants from more than 250 organizations to help operators and financiers prepare for return to service and provide them the opportunity to ask questions with [Phonetics] our teams.
In addition, we are conducting weekly technical calls with our customers worldwide to deliver the highest quality support and fully prepare the fleet to safely return to service when the grounding is lifted. This involves an entry into service approach augmented with advanced analytics. This also includes a proposed comprehensive package of training and educational resources.
With our first and foremost priority of the safe return to the service of the MAX, we announced a change earlier this month that separates the Chairman and CEO roles to further enable me to center my attention on running the company as Boeing's President and CEO. Dave Calhoun, our Board's independent Lead Director is now serving as our Non-Executive Chairman. I'm fully supportive of this division of labor and look forward to continuing my close partnership with Dave, who has a deep knowledge of the aerospace industry and has been a strong and independent leader on Boeing's Board since 2009. Together, we can be a force multiplier for this important work under way across the company and with our external stakeholders. This move is just the latest to several actions by our Board and senior company leaders to strengthen Boeing's governance and safety management processes, which I will discuss next.
Let's turn to slide three. As part of our long-standing commitment to safety, last month I announced several actions were taken to continuously improve. The actions followed recommendations from our Boeing Board of Directors that were the result of a five-month independent Board Committee review that had requested of our policies and processes for the design and development of our airplanes. Members of the Committee on airplane policies and processes rigorously explored these aspects of our business and made several recommendations focused on further improving safety throughout the company and the broader aerospace ecosystem.
My team and I fully embraced our Board's recommendations and took immediate steps to implement them across the company. With the committee's input, we established a new product and services safety organization that will review all aspects of product safety and maintain oversight of our accident investigation team and the Company's safety review boards.
Additionally, we're strengthening and elevating our engineering function through a direct reporting line to Boeing's Chief Engineer, who reports to me. We're also establishing a formal design requirements program, enhancing our continued operation safety program, partnering with our airline customers on flight deck designs that continue to anticipate the needs of future pilot populations, and we're expanding the reach of our Boeing Safety Promotion center. These actions are on top of the steps our Board already has taken to reaffirm its commitment to, and oversight of safety. Including establishing a permanent Aerospace Safety committee and adding safety related experience is one of the criteria for future directors.
In addition, to implementing the Board's recommendations, we are committed to reaching even higher. We're concurrently expanding our efforts to strengthen the way we manage safety across Boeing and our supply chain. For example, by broadening the use of a comprehensive safety management system and safety review boards. We're already driving a companywide approach to safety, quality and integrity that strengthens our vision and serves to reinforce and improve our operational performance.
Additionally, investments and enhanced flight simulation and computing capabilities have increased our company's ability to proactively test a wide range of scenarios resulting in improved product safety. Advanced research and development efforts in future flight decks are also under way, leveraging leading edge work in human factors, science and design.
Safety is our continual focus. Looking to the future, we'll be exploring ways we can strengthen global aviation safety in partnership with stakeholders across the aerospace community. We also continue to invest in talent for the future. At this defining moment, Boeing has taken expanded leadership role with a heightened focus on safety. We'll keep learning from these recent accidents, we'll stay true to our values and we will come through this together as a company and industry.
As we keep safety at the forefront, we also remain focused on stability across our production systems and supply chain, as well as mitigating impacts to our customers. As I mentioned earlier, our best current estimate is to return to service of the MAX, that begins this quarter. Based upon this estimate, and other factors, we expect to maintain our current production rate of 42 deliveries per month with a focus on supply chain and production system stability.
This will be followed by incremental rate increases that would bring our production rate to 57 by late 2020. After return to service, we expect the 737 MAX airplanes produced during the grounding, and included within inventory, will be delivered over several quarters with the majority of them delivering in the first year.
We will continue to assess our production plans as part of our scenario planning process. As mentioned before, the FAA and other regulatory authorities will ultimately determine the timing and conditions of return to service in each relevant jurisdiction. Should our estimate of the anticipated return to service change, we might need to consider possible further rate reductions or other options, including a temporary shutdown of the MAX production line.
I want to reiterate my personal thanks to everyone who continues to be our partner in this journey. We are mindful, these are challenging times for many and we remain grateful for your support.
Now, let me turn it over to an overview of our third quarter operating performance followed by an update on the business environment, and our expectations going forward. After that, Greg will walk you through the details of our financial results and how we are maintaining financial discipline and prudently managing our liquidity as we work through the safe return to service of the MAX.
With that, let's move to slide four. During the quarter, we generated revenue of $20 billion and core earnings per share of $1.45 reflecting lower 737 deliveries, partially offset by higher defense and services volume.
We recorded negative $2.4 billion of operating cash due to the 737 impact. We paid $1.2 billion of dividends in the quarter. Now let's look at the third quarter operating performance for our businesses. Commercial Airplanes generated revenue of $8.2 billion, reflecting 62 deliveries. BCA ended the quarter with our backlog of nearly 5,500 airplanes worth $387 billion. As we discussed before, global trade tension is putting near-term pressure on our wide-body production rates, especially the 787. I will discuss that in more detail later.
Now over to Defense, Space & Security. BDS reported third quarter revenue of $7 billion and booked $5 billion of new orders, demonstrating the continued value we bring to our customers across our Defense, Space & Security portfolio. Those orders included contracts for a fifth KC-46 tanker production lot, for the US Air Force and nine AH-64E Apache's for the US Army.
Key milestones for BDS included the MQ-25 Unmanned Aerial Refueler first test flight. Also T-X Trainer now renamed the T-7A Red Hawk performed its 100th test flight. Other accomplishments in the quarter included the first flight of the inaugural P-8A Poseidon for the UK Royal Air Force, and final assembly of the Space Launch System core stage structure. Also noteworthy is the satellite launch services award received by our United Launch Alliance joint venture from the US Air Force.
Moving on to Tanker as mentioned, Boeing received a $2.6 billion contract for production lot five, covering 15 KC-46 aircraft spares and support equipment. We delivered nine Tankers to the US Air Force in the quarter, and 23 year-to-date.
Turning to Global Services, BGS reported revenue of $4.7 billion representing 14% growth year-on-year. BGS continues to win new business highlighting the value we bring to our commercial and government customers and the strength of our One Boeing offerings.
In the quarter, BGS booked contracts for commercial modification, component and training services as well as contracts with the US Air Force for F-15 training to Qatar, A-10 Thunderbolt II rewinging, and KC-46 Tanker Lot five services. Also in the quarter, India based carrier SpiceXpress, booked [Phonetic] delivery of the first 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter to expand its air cargo operation.
Progress continues toward our planned strategic partnership with Embraer. We are actively engaged with the authorities and relevant jurisdictions, and have obtained a number of regulatory approvals, including clearance to close in the US and Japan. The European Commission earlier this month opened a Phase II assessment in its review of the transaction. We remain convinced that both the commercial aviation and the KC-390 joint ventures will increase competition in the market and create value for our customers, and the traveling public, as well as drive innovation in products and services. We now expect the transaction to close in early 2020.
In summary, our priority continues to be the safe return to service of the 737 MAX, and we've continued to allocate additional resources and attention on this effort. At the same time, we are maintaining our focus on keeping the business strong and healthy while focusing on operational performance. As we announced yesterday, we made several leadership changes that will further strengthen our company during a challenging time. Stan Deal has succeeded Kevin McAllister as President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, and Ted Colbert has succeeded Stan Deal as President and CEO of Boeing Global Services, effective immediately.
Stan brings extensive operational experience in commercial airplanes and trusted relationships with our airline customers and industry partners. And Ted brings to our Global Services business, an enterprise approach to customers and strong digital business expertise. A key component of our long-term growth plans.
We are also grateful to Kevin for his dedicated and tireless service to Boeing, our customers and our communities during a challenging time and for his commitment to support this transition.
With that, let's turn to the business environment on slide five. We continue to see healthy global demand for our offerings in Commercial, Defense, Space and services. These are sizable sectors that are growing and backed by strong fundamentals. With a combined market opportunity of $8.7 trillion over the next 10 years.
In commercial aviation, while we have seen some moderation of traffic growth, global passenger volume continues to be resilient, building on nine straight years of above trend growth, passenger traffic this year is growing at a solid 4.5% through August, again outpacing global GDP and tracking with long-term growth rates.
Meanwhile, the air cargo sector is facing more headwinds. As overall volumes have contracted year-to-date, amid a challenging trade environment. That said, we continue to see steady utilization of the global freighter fleet, while carriers are placing incremental orders to support their fleet replacement needs.
Additionally, traffic data points to solid growth in air cargo intensive sectors such as pharma, technology and express shipments. Improvements in industrial production and global trade will be key to a rebound in air cargo in 2020. With an industry outlook for approximately 44,000 new airplanes over the next 20 years, in an ecosystem of life-cycle solutions needed to maintain and support it, we continue to see sustainable long-term growth in commercial aviation. This is powered by mature and emerging economies of growing middle class, and continued innovations in business models and products. We believe the evolution in key market dynamics in aggregate continues to drive less cyclicality for our industry.
These long-term demand fundamentals provide a solid foundation for our commercial business. We are well positioned in this market with a strong portfolio of airplanes, a large and diverse order backlog, and a strong One Boeing team.
The narrow-body segment will command the largest share of new deliveries with expected demand for more than 32,000 single-aisle airplanes in the next 20 years. These new airplanes will continue to stimulate growth and provide required replacements for older, less efficient airplanes.
Our 737 program has a backlog of more than 4,400 aircraft. In the wide-body segment, we've seen solid order activity this year for our market-leading 787 and 777 families. In the quarter, Korean Air and Air New Zealand placed follow-on orders for the 787 to replace aging aircraft, reflecting the start of the wide-body replacement cycle that we expect to accelerate early next decade. We see the need for more than 1,000 small to medium wide-body aircraft to be replaced over the next decade.
In the near term, as we have shared, the US-China trade situation has presented challenges for our wide-body production plants. In particular, for the 787 program. As part of our practice for a significant market such as China, we had forecasted orders from operators based in the country as part of our skyline assumptions. The lack of orders from China in the past couple of years has put pressure on the production rate. We are in the planning window on the rate decision due to the production lead times.
Therefore , as part of our disciplined rate management process, we believe it is appropriate to make a production rate adjustment to balance the supply and demand. So beginning in late 2020, we plan to transition the 787 production rate from 14 per month to 12 per month, for approximately two years. We will maintain this disciplined rate management process going forward, taking into account a host of risks and opportunities.
We will continue to assess the demand environment and make adjustments as appropriate in the future. We also continue to monitor and inform the US China trade discussions. We value and maintain strong relationships with our customers and government stakeholders around the world, reinforcing the mutual economic benefits of a strong and prosperous aerospace industry. And we remain hopeful that airplanes will ultimately be part of the trade solution.
At our planned rates, our 787 backlog of nearly 530 orders provides a solid foundation and represents more than three and a half years of production. Moving to the 777 program. The current generation 777 continued its steady sales momentum with 14 new orders in the quarter. These provide further support for the 777 bridge. On 777X development, we continue to progress on our pre-flight testing focusing on final systems, propulsion and airplane level tests.
On the static airplane test results, our detailed analysis of the data is progressing well. What we've seen to-date, reinforces our prior assessment, but this will not have a significant impact on the design, or on the preparations for first flight. The GE9X engine remains pacing [Phonetic] item as we work toward first flight of the 777X.
GE, our engine supplier has made good progress to address the durability challenges. GE has installed retrofit components in the certification test engines and testing has restarted. Once the engines become available, GE and Boeing will need to successfully complete additional testing before we are ready to fly.
We still expect first flight to take place in early 2020. We continue to explore opportunities to improve the timeline, such as leveraging our system integration labs, and additional airplane ground testing, consistent with our commitment to safety. That said, as we further assess the impact of the GE9X engine and associated risks, we now expect first delivery of the 777-9 [Phonetic] to be in early 2021.
The combined 777, 777X production rate is five per month. We continue to expect the 777 delivery rate to be approximately 3.5 aircraft per month in 2019. The delivery rate is expected to be approximately [Phonetic] three per month in 2020, as we mitigate some of the impact of the slide in 777X timeline by producing more 777 current generation aircraft. We are focused on further bolstering the 777X skyline. The 777X orders and commitments of 364 aircraft, provide a strong foundation that supports our plan for ramping up production and delivery of this new aircraft.
On the 767 program, we added 16 new orders in the quarter, including 15 for the KC-46 production lot five. As previously announced, we plan to increase the 767 production rate from two-and-a-half to three per month in 2020. At Defense, Space & Security, we continue to see solid demand for our major platforms and programs.
Looking at the defense and space market for the next 10 years, we see $2.5 trillion of opportunities for our business with 40% of that from outside the US. The BDS portfolio remains well positioned with proven world-class platforms to address current needs and innovative capable and affordable new franchise programs to build the future.
We continue to see broad support for our products from the Pentagon, NASA and Congress, including for procurement of Boeing F-15EX and F-18 fighter jets, Apache and V-22 Osprey rotorcraft, JDAM weapons, satellite programs, the Space Launch System, and key derivative programs like the KC-46 Tanker, and the P-8.
We also see robust support for our future franchise programs. We are maintaining a sharp focus on these future franchises. The met -- the MQ-25 recently began test flights, and we are humbled to honor the legacy of the test [Indecipherable] with the T-7A Red Hawk. We also remain absolutely dedicated to commercial crew in the space launch system, which will maintain our nation's position as the leading edge of space exploration.
Turning to the services sector. We see the $3.1 trillion services market over the next 10 years as a significant opportunity for our company. We continue to see growth with expanded service offerings across the supply chain portfolio and our global digital solutions. New business in the quarter reflects our superior products both on and off platform with new digital agreements signed with Air Canada for our manpower planning software, and with IndiGo for apps control and tail assignment digital solutions.
In summary, with growing markets and opportunities ahead, our team remains committed to growth, innovation and accelerating productivity improvements to fuel our investments in the future.
So with that, Greg, over to you for our financial results.
Greg Smith -- Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, Enterprise Performance & Strategy
Thanks, Dennis. Good morning, everyone. Let's move to slide six, and we'll discuss our third quarter results. Revenue for the quarter was $20 billion with core earnings per share of $1.45 reflecting lower 737 deliveries, partially offset by higher defense and services volume. Before we discuss the segment performance, let me also touch on the 737 MAX and explain how the grounding has impacted our financials. What we've done to mitigate some of that impact. And what we're focused on today and going forward.
For the purpose of our third quarter financial results, we have assumed that regulatory approval for the MAX return to service begins in the fourth quarter, this year. While this assumption reflects our best estimate at this time, I just want to reiterate that the actual timing and condition of return to service will be determined by the regulatory authorities and could differ from this assumption and our estimate. Our third quarter financial results also assume a gradual increase in the 737 production rate from the current 42 per month to 57 per month by late 2020.
We also assume that after return to service of the MAX airplanes produced during the grounding and including within inventory will be delivered over several quarters with the majority of them being delivered in -- within the first year. Any changes to these assumptions could require us to recognize additional financial impact.
We added $872 million of program cost on the 737 in the third quarter. This is primarily to reflect current assumptions regarding timing of return to service and the timing of planned production rate increases. These additional costs will be spread across the undelivered aircraft in the accounting block of approximately 3,100 units and therefore reduced the 737 program margin.
During the quarter, we reassessed our estimate of potential considerations, and other -- and concessions for customers for disruptions related to the 737 MAX grounding and associated delivery delays. This reassessment included updated -- updating estimates to reflect revised return to service and production rate assumptions as well as latest information based on engagements with 737 MAX customers.
We have made no significant adjustments to the recorded liability in the quarter. As we've mentioned, we're also addressing the impact individually, customer-by-customer, and we will look at various forms of economic value that we can provide. We expect any concessions or other considerations to be provided over a number of years. And therefore, you can expect the impact to our cash flow to affect 2019 and beyond.
We continue to see this impact to be more front-end loaded, in the first few years, but of course will be dependent upon individual conversations with customers. Looking forward, the key drivers of the financial impact related to the 737 continue to be the return to service timeline and conditions. The delivery ramp-up which is dependent on how fast we can deliver aircraft once the fleet returns to service, and how fast our customers can accept the aircraft. Also include 737 production rate profile, and as discussed, customers regarding potential concessions and considerations.
We expect our financial results to continue to be adversely impacted until we safely return the 737 MAX to service, resume deliveries to our customers and ramp up production rates. We continue to perform detailed scenario planning around return to service and production rates, including analyzing the implications on our supply chain, customer fleet and deliveries, to fully understand the range of financial outcomes.
We will continue to assess our current production plans in our -- incorporate [Phonetic] any new insights such as return to service timeline, storage capacity and supply chain, all in our analysis to help inform us on whether further rate reductions or other options, including a temporary shutdown of the MAX production are needed.
We've also taken actions to prudently manage our liquidity, increasing our balance sheet flexibility and managing our spending and laser focused on productivity. We will continue to diligently review all levers available to minimize the financial impact.
It's important to note that everything we do, our focus on quality and safety are and always have been our highest priority. We do not compromise these values for cost or schedule. Returning the MAX safely to flight continues to be priority one for us. The team effort that leverages the best talent from across Boeing and outside experts. We will continue to apply whatever resources are required to return the 737 MAX safely into the fleet and take the time necessary to do so, working hand-in-hand with our customers.
Let's now move to commercial airplanes on Slide seven. Our commercial airplane business revenue decreased to $8.2 billion during the quarter, reflecting lower 737 deliveries. BCA operating margin declined to negative 0.5% reflecting lower 737 deliveries, partially offset by higher 787 margin. BCA backlog includes nearly 5,500 airplanes valued at $387 billion equating to more than six years of production.
Let's now turn to Defense, Space & Security results on slide eight. Third quarter revenue increased to $7 billion reflecting higher volume on satellites, weapons and new franchise programs, E-7A in particular, partially offset by lower F-15 volume. BDS booked operating margin of 10.7% in the quarter, reflecting improved performance. During the quarter BDS won key contract awards worth $5 billion and our backlog stands at 62 billion with 30% from outside the US.
Let's now turn to Boeing Global Services results on slide nine. In the third quarter, Global Services revenue increased to $4.7 billion, reflecting the acquisition of KLX and higher government services volume. Year-over-year growth of 14% for the quarter continues to outpace the average services market growth rate of 3.5%. BGS booked operating margins of 14.4%, and as I mentioned before, BGS margins quarter-to-quarter are subject to fluctuations due to [Phonetic] factors such as mix, products and services as well as performance on individual contracts.
During the quarter, BGS won key contract awards worth approximately $6 billion, its backlog now to $21 billion. Let's now turn to cash flow on slide 10. Operating cash flow for the third quarter was negative 2.4 billion, driven by lower 737 deliveries, lower advanced payments and timing of receipts and expenditures.
We expect continued working capital pressure to adversely affect cash flow, until MAX -- deliveries resume. Strong operating cash from other parts of the business, a strong balance sheet and further balance sheet levers will help provide adequate liquidity during this period.
In the third quarter we paid $1.2 billion in dividends, and as I previously mentioned, we have temporarily paused our share repurchase program. Our long-term balanced cash deployment strategy and commitment to returning cash to shareholders remains unchanged. However, in the near term, managing our liquidity and balance sheet leverage are top priorities, and we will continue to be so until the 737 MAX deliveries resume, we execute the 737 production rate increases and see stability in the production system.
Let's move now to cash and debt balance on slide 11. We ended the quarter with $10.9 billion of cash and marketable securities. We raised additional debt in the quarter, increasing the balance by 5.5 billion, primarily to fund the Embraer acquisition, and also to help shore up liquidity position, as we work through the current MAX challenges.
Our strategy of maintaining a strong balance sheet provides us with substantial borrowing capacity through capital markets access and an unused credit facility of 6.6 billion. Our long-term goal and strategic objectives remain unchanged and we will continue to use our three business units strategy as a key differentiator in the marketplace, make prudent investments, and leverage talent and innovation from across the company.
As always, we'll continue to keep a close eye on the geopolitical and macroeconomic developments, prudently managing risk. As Dennis said, we maintain our disciplined rate management and continue to monitor the band -- the environment and make rate adjustments as appropriate in the future.
As a reminder, in addition to the MAX, our financials particularly cash flow will also be impacted by the decrease in the 787 production rate, and timing of 777X entry into service. Reduction in future deliveries creates cash headwind due to lower cash from pre-delivery and delivery payments.
So in summary, while focusing on a very important priority of safe 737 MAX return to service, and minimizing the significant impact on our customers and the flying public, our team keeps the core operating -- engine strong, delivering results and meeting customer commitments. While we still have a lot of work in front of us, we're confident that we have the right focus, team and resources to navigate through.
We're committed to providing you with additional updates on the MAX return to service progress, production rate plans, as we may have more information. We'll strive to continue to keep all of our stakeholders informed with the utmost transparency through our public statements and information posted on our website. Once we have further clarity we will schedule a follow up Investor and Media Conference Call to discuss financial impacts, provide financial guidance which will capture the puts and takes including the impacts from the recent wide-body changes.
With that, I'll turn it back over to Dennis for closing comments.
Dennis A. Muilenburg -- President and Chief Executive Officer
All right. Thank you, Greg. These are challenging times. First and foremost, for the families and loved ones affected by these recent accidents.They will always be on our thoughts. This is also a defining moment for Boeing, and I can assure you that we have learned from this and we'll continue learning. We have changed from this and we will continue changing, and we're committed to coming through this challenging time better and stronger as a company.
We'll stay true to our enduring values of safety, quality and integrity while driving operational excellence across the enterprise. We will never waver in our commitment, the importance of our work demands it. Nothing is more important to us than the safety of our customers and the flying public. The safe return to service of the 737 MAX is our Company's top priority. I want to thank my Boeing teammates, who are delivering on this priority and on our other commitments that we're executing on our key priorities, driving growth and operational excellence across the business in close partnership with our customers, suppliers and regulatory agencies while returning value to our shareholders.
With the changes we're making to the MAX software and training, we're confident that the MAX will be one of the safest airplanes ever to fly. The long-term fundamentals of our businesses remain strong and our key priorities are unchanged. Our One Boeing advantage has never been more clear and we will leverage this unique strength to deliver and improve on our commitments to our customers and partners around the world.
With that, we'll be happy to take your questions.
Questions and Answers:
Operator
[Operator Instructions] Our first question comes from the line of Sheila Kahyaoglu with Jefferies. Please go ahead.
Sheila Kahyaoglu -- Jefferies -- Analyst
Thanks. Good morning, Dennis and Greg.
Dennis A. Muilenburg -- President and Chief Executive Officer
Good morning, Sheila.
Sheila Kahyaoglu -- Jefferies -- Analyst
Greg, perhaps, a question for you on cash. Given MAX production and changes in working capital associated with the aircraft as well as the recent wide-body cut on the 787 [Phonetic]. How are you thinking about the free cash flow profile of the company over the next few years?
Greg Smith -- Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, Enterprise Performance & Strategy
Yeah. Well, look, considering the circumstances of where we are, obviously that cash profile is more challenging than it was. But I'd say the long-term objective that we had in place continues to be in place. I'd say outside of MAX, in the Service and Defense business, we continue to see opportunities there. But as you mentioned, between getting the 737 MAX back up, that will be the single biggest driver, safely returning that back to service, delivering our aircraft off the ramp and meeting those rate breaks that we talked about and maintaining stability will be the key driver in the cash flow profile going forward.
We've got more 777X inventory build as a result of the scheduled change. So we see that use of cash now peaking in 2020, and obviously with the 787 rate decisions that we announced today, and the associated advances that also will have an impact within that time-frame. So lots of puts and takes but 737 MAX being the biggest driver through that period. So when we have better clarity on that path forward and the stability, we'll give you a further update of where we think we are over the long-term profile. But again, that remains our objective and the underlying engine continues to perform well, but we've got to continue to execute. And like I said, those key elements are really going to be the big drivers of cash going forward.
Sheila Kahyaoglu -- Jefferies -- Analyst
Thank you.
Operator
The next question is from Doug Harned with Bernstein. Please go ahead.
Doug Harned -- Bernstein -- Analyst
Good morning. Thank you.
Dennis A. Muilenburg -- President and Chief Executive Officer
Good morning, Doug.
Doug Harned -- Bernstein -- Analyst
If we go back a little ways, you had previously said that you'd expect it to have a completed fix for the MAX to the FAA by the end of September. So we're in mid-October now, that appears to have slipped but yesterday, Steve Dickson made -- at the FAA made some statements that sounded fairly positive regarding software and documentation that Boeing has provided the FAA. So I'm trying to understand where we stand now? Is there -- what constitutes the delivery of a final fix, and is there a milestone that we should be looking for ahead of an FAA certification flight?
Dennis A. Muilenburg -- President and Chief Executive Officer
Yeah, Doug, good question. And as you know, we've been working as to the very detailed level, basically every hour, everyday, in close coordination with the FAA. And we are in the process of delivering those certification items and that includes the final software, the training products, the system description documents, and that has been an iterative process. We did start that incremental process in September. The review cycles have taken a little longer than originally planned, but I think that's a good representation of the fact that we're diving deep into the documents. We're answering all the questions and the FAA has taken the time to make sure we get it right. So I think that level of scrutiny is good. We have -- now have the final software in our regression testing labs, as you heard from administrator Dickson, yesterday. The FAA has been involved in that final software delivery. You also heard from administrator Dickson that we've now delivered the final system description document of the changes to the MAX. That's another important milestone. So there are tangible milestones being achieved, but we still have more work to do.
Last week, we did complete an initial dry run of the certification test flight. We anticipate doing a couple more dry run kind of flights, but to a next big milestone that you might look forward, Doug, to your question, when we get to the certification flight, that will be a key waypoint on the way to the air-worthiness directive. And again, that final decision around the air-worthiness directive to unground the fleet and bring the MAX back up, that will be the regulator's decision, that will be the FAA's decision. But we're going to lean forward and provide every piece of data we can, we're going to make sure the depth of analysis is complete. We're going to answer every single question and I can tell you we are making steady daily progress. We have a well-defined plan, and we're performing against that plan. And with the preeminent focus here is on safety. We're going to take the time to get it right and make sure it's safe and we'll will continue to share the milestones of progress as we go.
Doug Harned -- Bernstein -- Analyst
Okay, thank you.
Operator
Next question from Peter Arment with Baird. Please go ahead.
Peter Arment -- Baird -- Analyst
Yes. Good morning, Dennis, Greg. Dennis, maybe you could just talk about 787 decision. This is really, obviously the first production cut -- and for that -- for them, that program, it's been so successful. Maybe just on holding that rate at 12 months kind of confidence levels around that and just thoughts about, in general, the longer term production profile for the 787. Thanks.
Dennis A. Muilenburg -- President and Chief Executive Officer
Yeah. Peter, it's a good question. Obviously not a decision that we take lightly. As Greg mentioned, and as we've talked about before production rate discipline is one of our key management principles, something that will drive stable long-term growth. Our prospects for the long-term, wide-body market haven't changed. We still still see that as positive.
As I mentioned in my comments, we see a market for roughly a 1,000 new small to medium sized wide-bodies over the next decade. So that replacement wave cycle, early in the next decade, that we've talked about previously, we still see that coming. But in the near term, our skyline has been dependent on orders from China, and now that we're within lead time on our production system, and those orders from China have not materialized, we need to make a decision. And so that's what you see reflected here.
We think our decision to take the rate down to 12 for approximately two months is a good -- or excuse me, for two years, is a good disciplined decision and fits with the market signals that we're seeing. We're going to continue to monitor the US-China trade policy discussions, and then we'll continue to make our plans going forward.
We have a very disciplined process for looking at the market, our supply chain health, all of the other parameters that might affect our customers' decision-making process and the decision we're announcing today is something that's consistent with that disciplined approach. So bottom line here is our long-term prospects that have not changed. But we need to make prudent decisions here in the near term that match with the economic realities.
Operator
Next we'll go to Myles Walton with UBS. Please go ahead.
Myles Walton -- UBS -- Analyst
Thanks. Good morning. Dennis, you've had a mid-teen BCA margin target out there a while. I'm just curious with all the changes, I guess the 737's [Phonetic] now 400 basis points, maybe lower in the block program looking forward, the 787 [Phonetic] rates, and the 777, are we now looking more in a 10% to 12% range. And then, Greg, just a clarification on share repurchase. I was interpreting from your comments, you're meaning don't anticipate share repurchase until 2021 after everything is back up. Is that accurate?
Dennis A. Muilenburg -- President and Chief Executive Officer
Greg, you want to take the [Speech Overlap] second question first?
Greg Smith -- Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, Enterprise Performance & Strategy
Sure. I would say -- don't anticipate share repo until we've got return to service. We're executing on the production rates in reaching the stability that we expect, and once we get to that level, then we'll reassess our cash deployment efforts and of course, as I mentioned, we've got additional debt on the balance sheet and we plan to address that as well. So we'll keep you up to speed, but those are the key milestones to watch for, and until we're satisfied with where we are, and we're generating the cash that we would expect as a result of reaching those milestones, we will -- we'll reexecute on our cash deployment strategy. But I said a long term -- our long-term objective is certainly what it was. But we've got to get through that, those milestones before we'll readdress repo.
Myles Walton -- UBS -- Analyst
Okay.
Dennis A. Muilenburg -- President and Chief Executive Officer
And Myles to your first question. Similar thing on the operating margin side, our long-term objectives and targets have not changed. We're still driving toward a mid-teen margins business. We haven't altered our plans for that . But again in the near term, our laser focus is on the safe return to service of the MAX. That is the most important thing we can do, and we're going to invest all of our resource and focus in making that happen.
The fundamentals of the business, the investments we're making in digitizing our enterprise, the lean principles in our factories, a lot of this production rate discipline and efficiency, where we're continuing to drive, during this interim time period, while we have had to make production rate reductions on the 737 line for good reasons. We're also using this as an opportunity to continue to invest in the line and returning some of our advanced manufacturing processes. And that will make for a healthier production system for the long run, and keep us on track for those long-term targets.
But in the near term, no question. Our focus is on the safe return to service of the MAX and I can tell you without any question, our preeminent focus every day going forward is on safety and quality.
Myles Walton -- UBS -- Analyst
Thank you.
Operator
Our next question is from Carter Copeland with Melius Research. Please go ahead.
Carter Copeland -- Melius Research -- Analyst
Hey. Good morning, gentlemen.
Dennis A. Muilenburg -- President and Chief Executive Officer
Good morning, Carter.
Carter Copeland -- Melius Research -- Analyst
Greg, just a clarification on the cash. Are you no longer receiving MAX, PDPs [Phonetic] and advances -- I just -- I didn't quite catch that out in your earlier comment. And then on the 787 [Phonetic] margin increase, I mean, you've had several steps upward in that margin in the last several quarters. Are we to assume that this is similar -- I mean, in scale, in terms of the increase or should it be significantly less because of the rate decision. Just wanted to dive in there -- just could you -- you had good deferred production numbers there, and so it look like that -- that might have been better.
Greg Smith -- Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, Enterprise Performance & Strategy
The team continues to do a great job in executing on their plans across not only the two sites, but within the supply chain with the partners as well, and integrating the mix between 9s, 10s, and 8s. The team has done a great job and you're seeing the results of that in the margin.
The profile that you've seen, you should expect that to continue as we work through these blocks. As we've talked about, there are some key levers within those blocks, our own productivity, supplier step-down as well as mix. That will be favorable to the margin as we work through the block. So that's all about executing on those fundamentals. And if we do that, and do that as planned, you'll continue to see margin expansion associated with the program.
On advances, obviously, the profile of advances, and particularly, on the 737 has changed dramatically and appropriately so. So we are still getting some advances. But obviously -- with the shutdown all of those have been rescheduled and that profile again is very different than it would have been, clearly, if we were at full rate. So we continue to work with each of our customers on this, but again as we talk about cash flow going forward, as we execute on the rates going up and do that and maintain stability through that period and the efficiencies will start to see that advanced stream picking up and associated back with the higher -- higher delivery.
So obviously a key enabler for cash flow going forward. But as we're -- as we're at this period right now, as I said we going to, you're going to see continued pressure on cash, on operating cash until we get back to service.
Carter Copeland -- Melius Research -- Analyst
And so just to be clear on that 787 [Phonetic] margin, the step-up was similar to what you've seen in some of the recent quarters.
Greg Smith -- Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, Enterprise Performance & Strategy
Yeah, it varies from quarter to quarter, Carter. Just depending on -- again depending on mix, and delivery profile and just overall kind of -- again model mix that plays into that pretty significantly as well, so.
Carter Copeland -- Melius Research -- Analyst
Okay. Thanks, Greg.
Greg Smith -- Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, Enterprise Performance & Strategy
Okay. You're welcome.
Operator
Our next question is from Ron Epstein with Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Please go ahead.
Ron Epstein -- Bank of America Merrill Lynch -- Analyst
Hey, good morning, guys.
Dennis A. Muilenburg -- President and Chief Executive Officer
Hey, Ron.
Ron Epstein -- Bank of America Merrill Lynch -- Analyst
How do we think about, in the backdrop, with change in the leadership at Boeing Commercial. How do we think about where NMA stands now, right, I mean the broader market keeps moving right along, right. So how are you guys thinking about NMA. And how should we think about NMA, and is that still a project you guys are interested in. So on and so forth.
Dennis A. Muilenburg -- President and Chief Executive Officer
Yeah, Ron. First of all, let me be really clear on our priorities. Our priority is safe return to service of the MAX and that's been clear to our team, clear to all of our suppliers, clear to all of our constituencies and we've applied additional resources there. We put additional talent there, that is our focus. Now with that in mind, we are continuing to drive forward with our efforts evaluating NMA. We still are not at a decision point nor are we ready to be at a decision point, yet.
We're continuing to -- to mature the business case. We're continuing to invest in risk reduction around the production system of the future and that continues to be a productive effort for us. So we'll continue to leverage those investments and when we're ready to make a decision, we will. So still a project of interest, we're still looking at a middle of the next decade entry into service time-frame, as we talk to our customers. And we'll make a good prudent decision when we're ready. But let there be no question, our focus is on safe return to service of the MAX.
Ron Epstein -- Bank of America Merrill Lynch -- Analyst
Okay, great. Thank you.
Operator
Next we'll go to Cai von Rumohr with Cowen and Company. Please go ahead.
Cai von Rumohr -- Cowen and Company -- Analyst
Yes, thank you very much. [Speech Overlap] So maybe you can walk us through the milestones required to achieve your FAA air-worthiness directive, the sequence of those milestones. And then the milestones between receiving the AD [Phonetic] and resumption of US service, because most of your customers in the US are talking about flying again in February, not at year-end. Thanks so much.
Dennis A. Muilenburg -- President and Chief Executive Officer
You bet, Cai. Good -- good question. Let me just walk you through that at a top level. And again this is a very detailed plan that we've laid out with all of our teams and stakeholders and one that we're working together with the FAA and our regulators. In the near term, we're marching through the the technical steps, if you will, and that includes finalizing the software. That will go into a series of simulation evaluations. There is a near-term milestone that we refer to as the line pilot evaluation, that will take that final software and with external line pilots from airlines come in and evaluate the handling qualities of the airplane.
We'll also have a external set of pilots, coming in, again authorized by the regulators that will conduct, what we call a joint operations evaluation board and that set of pilots will evaluate the training materials. So over the near term those are 2 key milestones for us. One that evaluates the software update to the airplane, and the second that evaluates the training products. In that same time-frame, as those two milestones are completed, we'll roll into the certification flight that I mentioned earlier. Now, that will be another key milestone for us. And then after all of the assessments are completed, those valuations are done, that will roll into the air-worthiness directive decision that the FAA will make and that other regulators will make.
Subsequent to the issuance of the air-worthiness directive in the un-grounding of the airplane, then we would move into the phase of un-grounding the aircraft and incrementally bringing up fleet operations for our airline customers. And the reference points that you're seeing out there from our customers are perfectly aligned with the detailed technical plan that I just walked you through. So they are very aware of that plan, and there is a time period between the air-worthiness directive and when they can resume full operations, revenue-bearing operations and that includes bringing each individual airplane up, making sure that each airplane is safe and ready to perform.
We've been working as we've been storing airplanes to ensure the health of those vehicles. But we'll be working tail number by tail number with our customers to ensure they can bring the fleet up back successfully, and then get back to full revenue-bearing operations.
And that's why you see a bit of a time lag between the air-worthiness directive and what our customers are now quoting as going operational dates. So hopefully that gives you a feel for the time facing the plan, and ultimately, bringing all of those grounded airplanes back up and all of those stored airplanes back up to fleet operations will be a multi-quarter operation.
Cai von Rumohr -- Cowen and Company -- Analyst
Thank you.
Operator
Our next question is from Rajeev Lalwani with Morgan Stanley. Please go ahead.
Rajeev Lalwani -- Morgan Stanley -- Analyst
Hi, good morning. Dennis, Craig, stay on the 737, maybe moving in a slightly different direction, in terms of the -- the backlog, it's -- it's obviously remained stable here over the last couple of quarters. But with the easing backdrop and some of the MAX issues, have you not seen a wave of interest in cancellations. Maybe just talk more about that dialog with customers, I mean, at a minimum, it seems like advances are pushing out. Obviously, the orders aren't there, etc.. So -- or some color?
Dennis A. Muilenburg -- President and Chief Executive Officer
You bet, Rajeev. We've been having good productive conversations with our customers around the world. We are engaged with them daily, keeping them abreast of the progress we're making on the safe return to service. We've seen continued strength in our backlog stability in that backlog. Our customers, still around the world see the value of the 737 MAX. And they know what it will ultimately bring to their operations. So that backlog of roughly 4,400 aircraft has remained solid and stable.
We have had discussions with customers who -- given timelines in fleet needs may want to move skyline positions. In some cases model differences or model trades or -- are [Phonetic] options. So as we think through customer compensation models, as you know, we're having those -- those discussions with our customers, there is some trade space around delivery profiles and skyline positions. But all of that within the context what I think overall is very stable backlog position and we continue to see strong customer commitment around the globe.
Rajeev Lalwani -- Morgan Stanley -- Analyst
Thank you.
Operator
Next we'll go to Rob Spingarn with Credit Suisse. Please go ahead.
Rob Spingarn -- Credit Suisse -- Analyst
Hi, good morning.
Dennis A. Muilenburg -- President and Chief Executive Officer
Good morning, Rob.
Rob Spingarn -- Credit Suisse -- Analyst
Greg. With regard to the concession is not changing, no material change there. It does seem -- to the prior couple of questions that we have slipped to the right for RTS, at least from October to likely December. So I wanted to see why we wouldn't see a change there because it certainly adds a couple of hundred delayed airplanes. And then the other part of it is, how aligned are the customers on this concession figure, if I understood correctly last time they weren't -- they had not necessarily endorsed the figures, that were in the 5.9 billion. Those weren't necessarily based on agreements with them. Has that changed?
Greg Smith -- Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, Enterprise Performance & Strategy
Yeah. No. So, Rob, I would say it, there is -- there's a lot that goes in that. So multiple data points, obviously, going into that and we assess it on a regular basis and obviously go through that quarter by quarter. So that could change obviously with time. So our discussions with our customers, the methodology, their expectations in kind of working through customer by customer. The impact on them and then ultimately a form of settlement continues to be a regular dialog and it will be. So we did not see a change in what we have for a liability this quarter. That does not mean that we won't -- could not see a change going forward. This is part of our regular, I'll say, closing process that we will go through every one of those and what's outstanding, and assess what we believe is the liability again based on multiple data points, including conversations and -- and overall, I'll say kind of impact is to have -- that is they have experienced but we don't. Again, expect significant change in that, but again we assess it every quarter.
Rob Spingarn -- Credit Suisse -- Analyst
Thank you, Greg.
Greg Smith -- Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, Enterprise Performance & Strategy
You're welcome.
Operator
Next we'll go to Seth Seifman with JP Morgan. Please go ahead.
Seth Seifman -- JP Morgan -- Analyst
Thanks very much and good morning. Greg, definitely appreciate that you guys aren't aren't giving guidance right now. But just in terms of thinking about the cash trajectory going forward, nearly 3 billion of cash burn in the quarter, plus 1 billion for the dividend, do we think about something similar in Q4. And I would assume that Q1 will still have some challenges in it. There is some cash on the balance sheet, but some of that is earmarked for Embraer, you talked about the potential maybe to still have additional balance sheet levers. Can you talk a little bit more, maybe even just in broad numbers about the near-term liquidity and balance sheet profile and what you expect to do.
Greg Smith -- Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, Enterprise Performance & Strategy
Yeah, well, look over the short term, as you know, on a quarterly basis just through timing of expenditures and just through advances that varies significantly or can vary significantly. So I would not take necessarily one quarter and apply it to the next, as you know. So we've got key milestones in the fourth quarter around advances, around deliveries and of course, within our defense business as well. So there's a lot of puts and takes in there, Seth. But that
RTS assumption and then that production rate increase in delivering those units, again off of our ramp, are real key drivers to cash going forward. So if those assumptions or the estimates change, that profile obviously will change resulting in that. So that's the near term. I'd say movements beyond that if you went outside of MAX again the services business to Defense business is doing a nice job on the working capital, we're reprioritizing spending as we navigate through this. And as I said, we do have additional balance sheet levers if we need to pull additional levels -- levers we'll do that. We don't see that over the short term, but we're again managing this prudently, best we can, and running various scenarios to really kind of understand our banding around liquidity and taking some proactive actions internally as well as in the debt markets, and we'll continue to do that. Again, until we have final RTS and then start delivering airplanes.
Seth Seifman -- JP Morgan -- Analyst
Okay, thank you very much.
Greg Smith -- Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, Enterprise Performance & Strategy
You're welcome.
Operator
Next we'll go to Hunter Keay with Wolfe Research. Please go ahead.
Hunter Keay -- Wolfe Research -- Analyst
Hi, thanks for getting me on. Good morning, guys. I'd like to talk a little bit about 777X certification process. If you decide, I don't think you've said -- you -- whether you're going to go derivative or new type yet, but how does that decision impact the -- now in the process itself, but the operating economics for the airline customers when they consider the benefit like training cost and things like that of a derivative versus the new type. Thanks.
Dennis A. Muilenburg -- President and Chief Executive Officer
Yeah. Hunter, on that point, we're continuing to work through the certification and development process. and with the FAA, the key is going to be any process updates that we might learn from the 737 MAX, any revisions to the certification timelines and procedures. We're thinking through that and any lessons learned that we might have, any applications we might want to make to the 777X. As I said, we're continue to march toward our first flight early in the coming year, and then EIS [Phonetic], now we're looking at first delivery early in 2021, and we'll be thinking through all the details to that certification plan with the regulators over the next many months.
And again, if there are any updates to the -- to the plan, or any of the requirements, we'll be sure to to discuss those and factor those into the -- into the planning going forward.
Maurita Sutedja -- Vice President of Investor Relations
Operator, we have time for one more question.
Operator
Great. That will be from Jon Raviv with Citi. Please go ahead.
Jon Raviv -- Citi -- Analyst
Thank you. On that topic, Dennis, again bigger picture. It's been a while with the MAX grounding you've seen what it takes to certify and you've seen some of the shortfalls in your previous processes. So just on, over the long term, beyond 777X, to what extent could the future aircraft development just essentially cost more, whether it's engineering, testing, certification. And in that context -- and if there is some uncertainty around that, why does it make sense to maintain the current capital allocation priorities?
Dennis A. Muilenburg -- President and Chief Executive Officer
Yeah, Jon. Once again, as we take a look at our development processes, we are always continuously learning and applying any lessons learned, we might have from the previous programs and certainly through the process of the MAX development and flight testing and everything that we're proceeding with right now to get to safe return to service, anything we're learning from that process is factoring into all of our development programs going forward.
We're taking a hard look at our safety review board processes or certification processes. We're going to take a look at flight deck designs for the future. All of those things will factor into our future development programs. But in terms of our priorities for capital allocation those priorities haven't changed. As we've always said, our number one use of cash is investment in organic growth, and that continues to be the case. We think that is the best use of our capital, it's a way that we build our future and we haven't seen anything here that would turn us in a different direction.
So we're going to continue to invest in organic growth for the future.
Operator
Ladies and gentlemen, that completes the analyst question and answer session. [Operator Instructions] I will now return you to the Boeing Company for introductory remarks by Ms. Anne Toulouse, Senior Vice President of Communications. Ms.Toulouse, please go ahead.
Anne Toulouse -- Senior Vice President of Communications
Good morning. We will continue the call with the media questions for Dennis and Greg. And John, we're ready for that first question. And in the interest of time, we ask that you limit everyone to just one question please.
Operator
And first we'll go to Eric Johnson with Reuters news. Please go ahead.
Eric Johnson -- Reuters -- Analyst
Hi, Dennis. Hi, Greg. Thank you very much.
Dennis A. Muilenburg -- President and Chief Executive Officer
Hi, Eric.
Eric Johnson -- Reuters -- Analyst
So the comments you've made, it focused on FAA approval, but I wonder how you see the risk of surprise or delays from overseas regulators as they take longer to or ask for more changes, and then separately, I wanted to get some details as you can on why -- on the decision to fire Kevin McAllister. Thank you.
Dennis A. Muilenburg -- President and Chief Executive Officer
Eric, on your first question regarding international regulators, we've been working hand-in-hand with the FAA and on those interfaces throughout this entire process. The FAA has convened something that they call the certification management team, which includes Transport Canada, ANAC out of Brazil and EASA out of Europe.
We've been engaged with the regulators in China and several -- frankly several dozen regulators around the world. So this is all a highly coordinated process with the FAA's lead regulator role. We've taken some of the same deliverables that I mentioned earlier, things like the system description document, things like other certification deliverables and with the FAA's approval have shared those with the international regulators, those are also undergoing review. So all of this work is being done concurrently.
Now until the reviews are complete, we may have additional actions additional questions from some of these international regulators. As I mentioned earlier, while the coordination is ongoing, it could well be that approvals will vary by jurisdiction and again the regulators will make that decision, ultimately it will be their timeline. But we are, and will continue to share data consistently transparently with all of the regulators. Our interest here is on the safe return to service of the MAX, that is our focus and we're working that hand in hand with the FAA and we'll continue to support the other regulators as well.
To your second question on our leadership changes. Again, our focus here is on ensuring that we continue to field [Phonetic] the strongest team we can. And these are decisions that we've made as a company, that are aligned with our leadership plans, our plans to have a strong and growing company for the future. And these, these changes are aligned with that plan. Our focus is on safety and quality, and performance and delivering operational excellence.
Operator
Our next question is from Julie Johnsson with Bloomberg. Please go ahead.
Julie Johnsson -- Bloomberg -- Analyst
Hi, good morning.
Dennis A. Muilenburg -- President and Chief Executive Officer
Good morning.
Greg Smith -- Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, Enterprise Performance & Strategy
Hi, Julie.
Julie Johnsson -- Bloomberg -- Analyst
Hi. Hey, would you mind walking us through your expectations for trade ceasefire between the US and China. President Trump a few weeks ago hinted at a mega potential Boeing deal coming with with the Phase 1 agreement. We've been puzzling as to what he was referring to when he mentioned $16 billion to $20 billion in orders. And I'm also wondering how we should square that up with the 787 rate cut today.
Dennis A. Muilenburg -- President and Chief Executive Officer
Yeah. Julie, good question. And as I mentioned, we're continuing to engage with with the constituencies in both the US and China on the trade discussions. We've been continuing to inform those discussions. We continue to see benefit to both countries with a healthy aerospace ecosystem. Here in the US as you know, the aerospace industry is the largest exporter. We contribute about $80 billion of trade surplus per year to the US economy and we are a heavy manufacturing industry. We generate strong manufacturing jobs here in the US.
China clearly needs the airlift capacity of those 44,000 new airplanes over the next 20 years that I mentioned. About 7,700 of those are in China. And so there is mutual interest in both countries that we continue to see. I think the recent trade discussions have been productive, they're moving in a good direction. But given the timeline and the fact that we don't have firm orders from China at this point, we're within production lead times and so we have to make the decision on the 787 line, which is what you see reflected in our announcement today.
We're going to continue to monitor and support the China trade discussions. Those are still very important for the future. But for purposes of our company, we have to be very disciplined in our production rate management and we're going to continue to do that and the decision that we're announcing today is consistent with that discipline.
Maurita Sutedja -- Vice President of Investor Relations
Hey, John. We have time for one last question, please.
Operator
And that will be from [Indecipherable] with the Associated Press. Please go ahead.
Unidentified Participant
Yeah. Thank you very much.
Unidentified Participant
Mr. Muilenburg, I'm looking ahead your congressional testimony next week. I'm curious, how are you preparing for that, what kind of reception do you expect? And will you meet with any families of the passengers from the accident flight who say they are going to be there.
Dennis A. Muilenburg -- President and Chief Executive Officer
Yeah, David, we are preparing for those hearings. Of course we've been supporting the document requests from the committees both the Senate and the House and we're going to continue to do that. We welcome all the discussion and the questions, I'm looking forward to participating in those hearings. I anticipate there will be tough questions, challenging questions, a lot of scrutiny and and frankly we support the scrutiny on the work that we're doing.
I think everybody here is aligned on the objective of a safe aviation system for our country. And I know that's the interest of the committees, that is clearly the interest of our company and I look forward to participating in those hearings and talking about what we're doing. All again with a focus on safety and that's our culture that's what our company is about and I hope to represent that, represent it well at the hearings next week.
And as I mentioned earlier, our sympathies continue to go out to the families and loved ones of those that have been affected by these accidents. That will never go away and I anticipate that some of those families will be represented next week, and I hope to be able to express my sympathies to them as we're at the hearings.
Maurita Sutedja -- Vice President of Investor Relations
Okay. That concludes our earnings call. Thank you for joining us today. For members of the media, if you have further questions, please call our team at 312-544-2002. Thank you again.
Duration: 75 minutes
Call participants:
Maurita Sutedja -- Vice President of Investor Relations
Dennis A. Muilenburg -- President and Chief Executive Officer
Greg Smith -- Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, Enterprise Performance & Strategy
Anne Toulouse -- Senior Vice President of Communications
Sheila Kahyaoglu -- Jefferies -- Analyst
Doug Harned -- Bernstein -- Analyst
Peter Arment -- Baird -- Analyst
Myles Walton -- UBS -- Analyst
Carter Copeland -- Melius Research -- Analyst
Ron Epstein -- Bank of America Merrill Lynch -- Analyst
Cai von Rumohr -- Cowen and Company -- Analyst
Rajeev Lalwani -- Morgan Stanley -- Analyst
Rob Spingarn -- Credit Suisse -- Analyst
Seth Seifman -- JP Morgan -- Analyst
Hunter Keay -- Wolfe Research -- Analyst
Jon Raviv -- Citi -- Analyst
Eric Johnson -- Reuters -- Analyst
Julie Johnsson -- Bloomberg -- Analyst
Unidentified Participant
