Vietjet Orders £4.6 Billion Worth of A330 Aircraft from Airbus

Vietjet Confirms £4.6 Billion Order for Airbus A330neo Aircraft

Vietnam’s largest private airline, Vietjet, has placed a substantial order for 20 Airbus A330-900 aircraft, valued at approximately £4.6 billion at list prices. The agreement was formalized in Hanoi by Vietjet Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao and Wouter van Wersch, President of Airbus International, during an official visit by French President Emmanuel Macron and Vietnamese President Luong Cuong. This latest purchase doubles Vietjet’s firm orders for the A330neo model to a total of 40 aircraft.

Strategic Expansion and Sustainability

The A330neo, a widebody aircraft designed for long-haul operations and powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, is central to Vietjet’s strategy to expand capacity on key Asia-Pacific routes and to launch future long-haul services to Europe. The airline’s investment in these modern, fuel-efficient jets reflects its commitment to enhancing connectivity while prioritizing sustainability for millions of passengers worldwide. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao emphasized the role of Airbus’s latest aircraft in supporting Vietjet’s growth and its dedication to delivering sustainable air travel on a global scale.

Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus’s Executive Vice President of Sales for Commercial Aircraft, highlighted Vietjet’s rapid growth and its reputation for combining low fares with Vietnamese hospitality. He expressed pride in Vietjet’s selection of the A330neo as its preferred widebody aircraft and looked forward to continuing the partnership as the airline expands its international network.

Impact on Airbus’s Broughton Facility and Market Response

The order is particularly significant for Airbus’s Broughton plant in Flintshire, where the wings for all A330neo aircraft are manufactured and assembled before being transported to Toulouse for final assembly. The new contract is expected to sustain and potentially increase production activity at the Broughton site, thereby supporting job security for the local workforce.

Market analysts have responded positively to the announcement, anticipating a favorable impact on Airbus’s stock performance. The sizeable order may also prompt competitors to enhance their own aircraft procurement strategies or operational efficiencies to maintain market competitiveness.

Vietjet’s Fleet and Aircraft Features

Currently, Vietjet operates a fleet comprising 115 Airbus A320 Family aircraft and seven A330-300s, all manufactured by Airbus. Alongside the 40 A330neos now on order, the airline has 96 A320neo Family aircraft pending delivery. The A330neo offers a non-stop range of up to 13,300 kilometres and features the Airspace cabin, which includes enlarged overhead bins, improved lighting, and advanced in-flight entertainment systems. As Vietjet continues its rapid expansion, its collaboration with Airbus and the skilled workforce at Broughton remains integral to its global ambitions.