NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. — Boeing is deepening its commitment to American aerospace manufacturing with a $1 billion expansion of its 787 Dreamliner production facilities in South Carolina, aiming to meet surging global demand for the fuel-efficient widebody jet.
The expansion, announced in late 2024 and now officially underway, will increase the company’s 787 production rate to 10 airplanes per month by 2026. The investment will create more than 1,000 jobs and significantly upgrade assembly, painting, and interior production capabilities at Boeing’s North Charleston site near Charleston International Airport (CHS).
After delivering more than 1,200 Dreamliners since the model’s debut, Boeing holds a backlog of nearly 1,000 aircraft—including 300 orders added this year alone. The company says the expansion will help it meet the long-term needs of airlines worldwide as international travel rebounds and carriers modernize their fleets.
Major Investment in U.S. Manufacturing
The project, one of Boeing’s largest single-site manufacturing investments in recent years, will add a new final assembly building roughly matching the current 1.2 million-square-foot facility. The expansion includes production bays, support areas, and office space, along with a parts preparation area, a vertical fin paint facility, and new flight line stalls adjacent to the airport.
Construction is being managed by a joint venture between HITT Contracting and BE&K Building Group, with an expected 6.2 million work hours logged by a workforce peaking at more than 2,500 people. Upgrades will also extend to Boeing’s Interiors Responsibility Center, where teams produce many of the Dreamliner’s interior components.
Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said the project underscores Boeing’s long-term confidence in both the aircraft program and its South Carolina operations. “This investment ensures we can meet our customers’ needs for years to come,” Pope said. “It’s a testament to the hard work of our teams and our commitment to South Carolina and U.S. manufacturing.”
Meeting Global Aviation Demand
According to Boeing’s latest Commercial Market Outlook, airlines will require more than 7,800 new widebody jets over the next two decades, driven by international route growth and continued focus on fuel-efficient aircraft. The 787 Dreamliner family—including the 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10—remains the world’s best-selling widebody, with over 2,250 orders from 90 customers worldwide.
The North Charleston facility is Boeing’s sole site for full 787 production, encompassing fabrication, assembly, and final delivery. The company began operations there in 2009 and now employs more than 8,200 people across its North Charleston and Orangeburg campuses.
Bipartisan Praise for the Expansion
The expansion has drawn broad support from state and federal leaders who see the project as both an economic catalyst and a statement of confidence in American industrial capability.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent praised the move as a demonstration of manufacturing renewal under President Trump’s administration. “This project is helping rebuild America’s industrial base, create high-paying jobs, and strengthen our economic security,” Bessent said.
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster called the investment a reflection of the state’s growing reputation in the aerospace sector. “Boeing’s decision is a vote of confidence in South Carolina’s workforce and business climate,” McMaster said. “This expansion will further our leadership in aerospace manufacturing and enhance prosperity across the state.”
U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham echoed those sentiments, calling the production increase “a validation of the extraordinary skill of South Carolina workers.” He added that the investment “ensures Boeing’s viability for decades to come and provides more jobs for generations of South Carolinians.”
Senator Tim Scott described the groundbreaking as “a milestone for jobs and a pro-business environment,” while Congressman Jim Clyburn credited Boeing with “expanding aerospace opportunities that strengthen the region’s economic future.”
Looking Ahead
As Boeing advances construction through 2026, the company says the South Carolina expansion will be pivotal in supporting its next phase of growth, particularly as international carriers continue to favor efficient, long-range aircraft.
Event photos and updates are available through Boeing’s Media Asset Portal after 4:00 p.m. Eastern.
