Vietnam Airlines leases 19 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft at Farnborough Airshow
VOV.VN - Vietnam Airlines signed agreements on July 20 and 21 to lease 19 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft from three major global lessors at the Farnborough International Airshow.
Under the agreements, the national flag carrier will receive 10 aircraft from SMBC Aviation Capital, four from Avolon Aerospace Leasing Limited, and five from Phoenix Aviation Capital, managed by AIP Capital. The deals bring Vietnam Airlines' planned Boeing 737 MAX 8 fleet to 69 aircraft, comprising 50 direct purchases and 19 leased units, with deliveries scheduled for 2028.
The lease arrangements address global aircraft supply tightness and manufacturer delivery delays, allowing the airline to expand capacity ahead of long-term orders. The narrow-body Boeing 737 MAX 8 cuts fuel consumption and carbon emissions by roughly 20% compared to previous-generation models, making it suited for domestic and regional routes.
Representatives from the three leasing companies expressed strong confidence in Vietnam's aviation sector, citing steady economic growth, a population of over 100 million, and a 121% market expansion over the past decade, the fastest among the region's top 10 aviation markets.
Dang Ngoc Hoa, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vietnam Airlines, stated that the deals mark the next phase in the airline's fleet investment strategy to meet rising demand and build a modern, competitive national carrier.