VietJetAir leaning to B777s for future longhaul routes

VietJet to take first B737 MAX in 2024 for Thai subsidiary

VietJetAir (VJ, Hanoi) and Boeing have agreed on the delivery timeline of the first batch of the B737 Max order. Boeing will deliver the full order over five years, with the first 12 scheduled to arrive in 2024. Those twelve aircraft will go to Thai VietJetAir (VZ, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi), an affiliate company founded by Vietjet.

Boeing and Vietjet say they will work together to make Viet Nam a hub for aviation services, including training, education, and maintenance. The aircraft manufacturer will provide support for the development of aviation infrastructure, improving airport operational capabilities, and flight management. Boeing will also promote Viet Nam's participation in its global supply chain for aircraft production and aviation equipment.

Carlyle Aviation Partners will provide USD550 million in financing towards the 200-strong Vietjet B737 MAX order. The deal was announced in Hanoi on September 11 to coincide with US President Joe Biden's visit to Viet Nam.

“Carlyle Aviation Partners has been a long-term strategic partner of Vietjet,” said Robert Korn, Carlyle's Co-Founder and President. “We...

Editorial Comment: Corrects existing B737 MAX order numbers - 13.09.2023 - 13:09 UTC

Vietnam Airlines considering 50-strong B737 MAX order

Vietnam Airlines (VN, Hanoi) is considering ordering fifty B737 MAX, according to the US-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership signed during a leaders' meeting in Hanoi.

A White House press release said the carrier and Boeing "will sign" an order. However, official photos of the event indicate that Vietnam Airlines has only accepted Boeing's MAX 8 proposal and is uncommitted to an order given financing has yet to be settled.

Tran Thanh Hien - finance director of Vietnam Airlines - told local media that the B737 MAX - said to be B737-8s at this stage - would be due from 2027 to 2030. Thus, there are still four years left to prepare the necessary conditions for the receipt of the aircraft, including capital mobilization. Vietnam Airlines and Boeing will now discuss funding options suitable to the airline's capacity and ensure the feasibility of the project.

"Vietnam Airlines is completely confident in balancing part of the capital for this project through the overall restructuring process of the airline and the recovery of the aviation market....

Thai VietJetAir protracts B737 MAX rollover to 2028

Thai VietJetAir (VZ, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi) has amended its fleet roll over plan and currently expects to complete the transition from Airbus to Boeing narrowbodies and grow to 50 aircraft by 2028, Chief Executive Woranate Laprabang told Thai media.

The low-cost carrier plans to take its first six B737-8s in 2024, with the first delivery slated for July 2024. This represents a delay of around a year compared to the previous plan, which foresaw deliveries from mid-2023 and a complete rollover to B737 MAX by mid-2024.

Due to the MAX's delayed arrival, Thai VietJetAir will lease two additional A321-200s this year, increasing its fleet to 20 aircraft, namely twelve A320-200s and eight A321-200s.

All fifty B737-8s are due to be in place by 2028. Thai VietJetAir plans to use the type's incremental range to launch new routes to points in Japan and South Korea. Woranate said during a briefing with the new prime minister, Srettha Thavisin, that the LCC would prioritise growth at Phuket, Thailand's leisure hub....

Chairman of Viet Nam's Bamboo Airways quits FLC Group board