PARIS, May 22 (Reuters) - U.S. planemaker Boeing ( BA )

has recovered production momentum after years of uncertainty

surrounding setbacks to its 737 MAX, the head of engine maker

Safran said on Thursday.

Production of the benchmark narrow-body jet stands at almost

38 a month, the ceiling imposed by U.S. regulators after the

blowout of a door plug on an Alaska Airlines jet last year,

Safran's CEO told the French company's annual meeting.

Safran co-produces the world's most-sold jet engines with GE

Aerospace through their CFM International joint venture.

CFM's LEAP engines power all Boeing 737 MAX aircraft and compete

with Pratt & Whitney for airline contracts on the Airbus

A320neo.

(Reporting by Tim Hepher and Florence Loeve

Editing by David Goodman

)