Two Vietnamese airlines signed deals worth a combined 15.7 billionUS$ to purchase airplanes from Boeing on the sideline of the USA-DPRK Summit in Ha Noi on Wednesday.

President & CEO Vietjet Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao and President & CEO Boeing Commercial Airplanes Kevin McAllister pose for a photo after signing the deal with the witness of the Viet Nam’s Party leader, President Nguyen Phu Trong (third from left). — VNS Photo

The signing ceremonies were witnessed by Viet Nam’s Party General Secretary, President Nguyen Phu Trong and US President Donald Trump.

New-age carrier Vietjet signed an agreement to purchase 100 new 737 MAX airplanes worth 12.7 billion$ from Boeing.

Boeing Commercial Airplanes President & CEO Kevin McAllister said he believed that the MAX would help Vietjet grow more efficiently and provide greater travel experiences for passengers.

“Vietjet and the country’s burgeoning aviation sector are clearly enablers, helping to stimulate travel within Viet Nam and connecting Viet Nam with the rest of Asia. We are proud to support this economic development, which in turn supports engineering and manufacturing jobs in the US,” he said.

For her part, Vietjet President and CEO Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao described the deal as an important move for the airline to meet its international flight network expansion plan with a higher capacity, thus offering passengers more exciting experiences by being able to fly to more new international destinations.

In addition to airplane purchases, Boeing will partner with Vietjet to enhance technical and engineering expertise, train pilots and technicians, and improve management capabilities at the airline and in Viet Nam.

In 2016, Vietjet also signed a 100 B737 MAX order, setting the mark for the largest commercial jet purchase in the country’s aviation sector at the time, and making the airline currently the largest customer of the B737 MAX model in Asia.

Besides Boeing, Vietjet and General Electric on Wednesday finalised an engine order and agreement for a long-term CFM International LEAP-1B engine support package worth 5.3 billion$, according to the manufacturer’s list price.

The agreement includes spare engines and support packages to facilitate the airline’s already-ordered new aircraft.

General Electric has provided engines for Vietjet’s aircraft since the airline commenced operations in late 2011 with the CFM56-powered aircraft.

The same day, Bamboo Airways also signed a deal with Boeing to purchase 10 wide-body 787-9 Dreamliners worth nearly $3 billion.

The signing ceremony between Bamboo Airways and Boeing held at the Presidential Palace in Ha Noi, witnessed by Party General Secretary, President Nguyen Phu Trong, and US President Donald Trump. — VNS Photo

In June 2018, Bamboo Airways, wholly owned by multi-sector company FLC Group, signed a deal for 20 Boeing 787 Dreamliners worth $5.6 billion in the US.

“The 787 Dreamliner’s unmatched efficiency, range and flexibility makes it the perfect airplane for Bamboo Airways to achieve its long-range ambitions,” said Kevin McAllister, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

He also added that the new deal would strengthen the partnership of Boeing and Bamboo Airways, so Boeing was looking forward to help Bamboo connect Viet Nam with key markets in Asia, Europe, North America and beyond.

Beside the new deal, Bamboo Airways and Boeing also reached an agreement on the expansion of orders in the near future.

Bamboo is considering buying 25 narrow-body Boeing 737 MAX planes worth an estimated $2.5 billion at list prices. Further details of the contract will be announced after both parties have reached a final agreement.

A good aide of Viet Nam – US direct flight route

Bamboo Airways plans to launch flights to the US from late 2019 to early 2020. FLC Group set up a representative office in the US in 2018 to prepare for the launch.

The carrier is implementing the plan after the US Federal Aviation Administration granted the Category 1 (CAT) to Viet Nam on 15 February.

“Viet Nam and US economic and trade relations have seen rapid expansion. Direct flights between Việt Nam and the US will not only push tourism to draw nearly one million American tourists by 2020, but also facilitate bilateral trade and investment,” said Trinh Van Quyet, FLC Group’s chairman.

“The deal to add 10 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and the plan to buy 25 narrow-body 737 MAXs will enable Bamboo Airways to increase operational efficiency and competitiveness on the potential yet challenging air routes,” said Dang Tat Thang, CEO of Bamboo Airways.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is also one of the most advanced wide-body airliners that can satisfy the demands of international long-haul flights. Bamboo Airways aims to become the top hybrid carrier in Việt Nam and the region, targeting at 5-star service.

(Source: VNS)