Boeing (BOE, Chicago O'Hare) has confirmed it will deliver its first B737 MAX 8 earlier than previously anticipated.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Ray Conner, Executive Vice President (Sales) at Boeing Commercial Airplanes, told analysts at Boeing's annual investor conference that the US manufacturer now expects to hand over its first B737 MAX 8 to launch operator Southwest Airlines (WN, Dallas Love Field) during the first half of 2017 as opposed to the previous official target period of the third quarter.

Earlier this year, the paper quoted industry sources as saying the delivery date could be brought forward by as much as six months indicating a possible first quarter hand-over date.