The chief executive of Vietnam Airlines (VN, Hanoi Noi Bai International) says the carrier will issue a tender for around 50 narrowbody jets in the first half of 2025 and a second tender will follow for about the same number of a mix of widebody and narrowbody aircraft.
CEO Le Hong Ha told journalists at an aviation conference in Bandar Seri Begawan this week that a 2023 non-binding agreement to consider buying fifty B737 MAX was yet to be firmed up, and while Boeing had offered very favourable terms, all aircraft manufacturers will be invited to bid in the upcoming tender.
“It is open to everyone. Boeing is one option - a good option because they gave a very good offer to us,” Ha told Bloomberg.
Also in the running is COMAC. The Chinese manufacturer is making a concerted push into neighbouring markets. Its deputy general director, Wei Ying Bio, met the Vietnamese prime minister earlier this month, saying COMAC is eager to "promote cooperation with Vietnamese partners."
State-owned Vietnam Airlines operates a mixed fleet of ninety-seven Airbus and Boeing aircraft, including one A320-200N, forty-one A321-200s, twenty A321-200Ns, fourteen A350-900s, five ATR72-500s (wet leased from subsidiary VASCO - Vietnam Air Services), eleven B787-9s, and five B787-10s. The airline is also awaiting delivery of two more A320-200Ns and three B787-10s.
Vietnam Airlines wants to grow to around 170 aircraft by the middle of the next decade to capitalise on rising demand and remain competitive, Ha said.
