HANOI – Flag carrier Vietnam Airlines (VN) has signed a deal with Boeing to acquire 50 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, becoming the first airline to acquire Boeing single-aisle jets as part of a broader fleet modernization effort.
The capacity-enhancing addition of the 737-8 is expected to boost domestic and regional capacity, as demand in Southeast Asia remains rapidly increasing.
Funding Network Expansion
The new aircraft will also reinforce VN's short- and medium-term operations, enabling it to be more flexible on high-frequency routes. With a capacity of up to 200 passengers and a longer range, the 737-8 will help the carrier reach more parts of Asia and achieve greater operational efficiency.
It has been projected that Vietnam's aviation industry could handle more than 75 million passengers per year over the next 10 years, supporting the argument that narrowbody capacity must be scalable.
Efficiency, Strategy of the Fleet
The order will supplement the current fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners already in service with VN, covering long-haul routes such as Europe. The wide-body and single-aisle aircraft combination enables VN to match capacity to route demand and achieve fuel-use reductions of about 20-25 percent compared to older-generation aircraft.
The partnership emphasizes a growing partnership between VN and Boeing beyond aircraft deliveries to technical training programs and industrial development. The purchase augments VN's overall mission to improve service levels and cement its market position in the fast-expanding regional airline industry.
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