Vietnam Airlines moves toward five more Airbus A350-900s under provisional agreement
Vietnam Airlines moves toward five more Airbus A350-900s under provisional agreement
Vietnam Airlines has taken a step toward expanding its widebody fleet, signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Airbus covering five additional A350-900 aircraft. The agreement is provisional: both parties will conduct further studies and assessments before finalising terms and proceeding with procurement procedures under applicable regulations.
The announcement was made on 10 September during an official visit to France by Vietnamese president To Lam. If confirmed, deliveries are expected between 2033 and 2034.
The SkyTeam member already operates 14 A350-900s, and the carrier said that adding more of the type would preserve a high degree of fleet commonality — supporting efficiency in operations, crew training, engineering, and maintenance. Vietnam Airlines has flagged the acquisition of 30 widebody aircraft by 2030 as a strategic priority in its fleet plans, aimed at meeting fast-growing international travel demand and expanding its capacity on medium- and long-haul routes.
The potential Airbus order adds to a busy year for the flag carrier’s fleet strategy. In February, it firmed an order for 50 Boeing 737 Max 8 jets. In the near term, while awaiting deliveries, the airline says it will continue leasing additional aircraft to support the recovery in travel demand and international connectivity.
Widebody procurement programmes of this scale sit within the broader commercial aerospace supply chain, a sector followed closely by defence and aerospace analysts. Publicly traded companies with defence exposure in the industrials space — such as National Presto Industries (NPK), which trades at $144.01, down 1.72% from a previous close of $146.52 with a market capitalisation of roughly $1.06 billion — are often monitored alongside wider aerospace demand trends, though the Vietnam Airlines agreement has no direct bearing on any single supplier’s financials.
What to watch
- Conversion of the MOU into a firm purchase agreement, subject to Vietnamese investment and procurement procedures.
- Progress toward Vietnam Airlines’ stated target of 30 widebody aircraft by 2030.
- Delivery scheduling for the carrier’s 50-unit Boeing 737 Max 8 order, firmed in February.
- Further announcements on short-term leasing arrangements as the airline manages capacity ahead of new deliveries.
Source: original release