Boeing has begun a $1 billion expansion of its 787 Dreamliner facilities in North Charleston, South Carolina, as it prepares to raise production to 10 aircraft per month in 2026.
The site, which handles fabrication, final assembly, and delivery of all Dreamliner variants, will gain a second 1.2 million-square-foot final assembly building, new support facilities, and additional flight line capacity.
Boeing said the project will create around 1,000 new jobs over five years and employ 2,500 construction workers during the build phase. The work is managed by HITT Contracting and BE&K Building Group.
Expanding South Carolina operations
The expansion will extend across Boeing’s main campus near Charleston International Airport and a second site in the region. The company plans to build:
- A new 787 final assembly building housing production positions, support functions, and offices
- A parts preparation facility, a vertical fin paint building, and additional flight line stalls
- Additions to the Interiors Responsibility Center, which produces many Dreamliner cabin components
Boeing currently employs more than 8,200 people in South Carolina across North Charleston and Orangeburg, where it manufactures and assembles major 787 structures, including the aft and mid-fuselage sections. The first Dreamliner built in South Carolina rolled out in 2012.
Driven by strong demand
Boeing has delivered more than 1,200 Dreamliners to date and holds nearly 1,000 unfilled orders. The company expects long-haul travel recovery to sustain demand for the widebody family, which has received over 2,250 orders from around 90 customers.
“We continue to see strong demand for the 787 Dreamliner family and its efficiency and versatility,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Stephanie Pope, calling the project a renewed commitment to South Carolina’s aerospace sector.
The groundbreaking was attended by state and federal officials, including Governor Henry McMaster and Senator Lindsey Graham, who called the expansion a “vote of confidence” in the local workforce.
The project forms part of Boeing’s wider plan to ramp up 787 output while restoring stability to its widebody programs. Once complete, the site will support sustained higher production rates and greater flexibility across the 787 line.
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