THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM
Government News
VN Airlines increases Airbus planes in its fleet
VGP - The national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines has ordered 16 Airbus planes A321 and signed a memorandum of understanding to purchase two A350 XWBs more.
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Airbus A321 is considered VN Airlines’ flagship aircraft |
Altogether, the carrier has ordered 41 planes A321, of which 14 have been handed over, according to the aircraft maker Airbus. The total value of these planes is some US $1.9 billion.
On June 15, Vietnam Airlines inked a contract to buy two ATR 72-500s to replace older ATR-72s.
The carrier’s General Director Phạm Ngọc Minh said the A321s will be used for domestic and regional flights, and the use of A350s will help increase service quality, and make it convenient for passengers on long-haul and transcontinental flights.
Mr. Tom Enders, Airbus President, hoped that the purchase will help Vietnam Airlines develop a strong fleet of modern planes, meeting demand for traveling in Asia and in the world.
Vietnam Airlines currently has a fleet of 52 modern planes serving 19 domestic routes and 23 international ones. It targets a fleet of 104 aircraft by 2015 and 150 by 2020.
By Ngọc Vân