Vietnam Airlines to buy 12 Boeing twin jets

21 November, 2007:

As many as 12 Boeing 787 twin jets will make their way to Vietnam soon. Vietnam Airlines has reportedly signed an agreement to buy the twinjets from Boeing.

According to Boeing, the state-owned Vietnam Airlines has agreed to acquire four 787s, while a newly-established aircraft leasing firm, Vietnam Aircraft Leasing, of which the carrier is an equity partner, will purchase the remaining ones.

The buys come close on the heels of a plan by Vietnam Airlines to expand its long-haul fleet with Boeing 777-200ERs. It already has four 787s on order for delivery in 2009 and 2010. In October 2007, Vietnam Airlines had inked a deal with Boeing to purchase as many as 12 more 787s. These planes will be ready for delivery, starting 2015.

Reports added that Vietnam Aircraft Leasing will lease the eight 787s to Vietnam Airlines. This decision comes following suggestions that such an arrangement would allow the airline a little more flexibility in building its fleet. There are also reports that the Government of Vetnam had earlier imposed a December 21, 2007 deadline to order 10 Airbus A350-900 XWBs and 20 Airbus A321s.

Meanwhile, regarding the current MoU, Boeing will now have to work out a few more details with the Vietnamese buyers before it is listed on the manufacturer’s orders and deliveries web site.