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Boeing says it's again increasing the production rate for its 777 aircraft due to strong customer demand.

The Chicago company said Monday it will boost output to 8.3 of the 777 planes a month in the first quarter of 2013. In March it announced plans to increase production to seven airplanes per month from five starting in the middle of next year.

United Airlines first placed the 777 into service in 1995. There have been 907 deliveries of the aircraft, which comes in several different versions including a long-range freighter.

Boeing says it has a backlog of more than 250 777s and that suppliers are prepared for its production increases. - SEATTLE