Boeing South Carolina Breaks Ground on $1 Billion Expansion to Boost 787 Dreamliner Production

Groundbreaking Ceremony Marks Major Investment

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. – Boeing South Carolina (BSC) officially broke ground on Friday, November 7, 2025, for a substantial site expansion aimed at significantly increasing its 787 Dreamliner production capabilities. This strategic investment, exceeding $1 billion, is projected to create more than 1,000 new jobs over the next five years, reinforcing the company's commitment to American manufacturing and the local economy.

The expansion, announced in late 2024, is a direct response to robust global demand for the fuel-efficient widebody jet. Boeing aims to ramp up 787 Dreamliner production to a rate of 10 airplanes per month by 2026. Currently, the North Charleston facility is transitioning from producing seven to eight aircraft per month, with a target of eight by year-end.

Enhanced Facilities to Support Increased Output

The expansion project encompasses two sites near Charleston International Airport and will introduce several key additions and upgrades. These include:

• A new final assembly building, similar in size to the existing 1.2 million-square-foot facility, which will house additional airplane production positions, support areas, and office space.
• A dedicated parts preparation area facility.
• A vertical fin paint facility.
• Additional Flight Line stalls at the airport campus.
• Enhancements to the Interiors Responsibility Center, where many of the 787's interior components are manufactured.

The construction effort is a joint venture between HITT Contracting and BE&K Building Group, employing more than 2,500 construction workers and involving over 6.2 million construction hours. The new assembly building is anticipated to be operational by 2028.

Meeting Soaring Demand for Widebody Aircraft

The decision to expand comes as Boeing faces a significant backlog of nearly 1,000 Dreamliners, with more than 300 orders added in the current year alone. Stephanie Pope, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, stated, 'We continue to see strong demand for the 787 Dreamliner family and its market-leading efficiency and versatility. We are making this significant investment today to ensure Boeing is ready to meet our customers' needs in the years and decades ahead.'

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster lauded the investment, stating, 'This $1 billion expansion and the creation of 1,000 new jobs will strengthen our position as a global leader in aerospace and advanced manufacturing.' U.S. Senator Tim Scott added that the expansion 'will create more than a thousand quality jobs and reinforce our state's leadership in developing a strong workforce and pro-business environment.'