HCMC – Vietnam Airlines is anticipated to finalize an agreement to acquire 50 Boeing 737 Max jets, with an estimated value of up to US$10 billion, during the ongoing State visit to Vietnam by U.S. President Joe Biden.
The signing ceremony for this deal is scheduled for today, September 11.
This procurement is part of Vietnam Airlines’ strategy to replace its aging fleet of long-serving aircraft. Several years ago, the airline received approval from the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam for its investment project to purchase 50 narrow-body aircraft, either A320/321 or B737 Max 8/9/10, for the period of 2021 and 2025.
Since last year, Vietnam Airlines has also disclosed its intention to auction off several A321 aircraft.
The Boeing 737 Max 8/9/10 variants have a capacity to accommodate between 210 to 230 passengers and offer a flight range of 3,000 kilometers. Vietnam Airlines has not previously operated any of Boeing’s narrow-body aircraft.
In a related development, Vietjet Air, another local carrier, inked a deal in 2016 to acquire 100 Boeing 737 Max jets during the Vietnam visit by then U.S. President Barack Obama. Subsequently, in 2018, Vietjet Air expanded its aircraft fleet by entering into another agreement to procure an additional 100 aircraft of the same type.
Source: The SaigonTimes