Vietnam Airlines to Finalize Order for 50 Boeing 737 MAX Jets, Executive Says

Vietnam Airlines Nears Finalization of Boeing 737 MAX Order

Vietnam Airlines is poised to finalize a provisional agreement for 50 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, a company executive revealed to Reuters on Monday. The initial order was placed in 2023, and the carrier expects to complete the deal imminently. The executive, speaking on condition of anonymity due to lack of authorization to engage with the media, indicated that Vietnam Airlines anticipates the need for up to 100 new narrow-body jets by 2035 to support both fleet expansion and the replacement of aging aircraft.

Strategic Fleet Expansion Amid Geopolitical Pressures

Vietnam, heavily reliant on exports, faces mounting pressure from the United States to increase its procurement of American goods as a measure to avoid potential tariffs. The airline’s preliminary agreement with Boeing for the 737 MAX series reflects this dynamic, although the contract has yet to be formally concluded. Boeing did not provide an immediate response to requests for comment regarding the status of the deal.

In a related development, Vietnam Airlines secured a memorandum of understanding in April with Vietcombank, the country’s leading financial institution, to facilitate funding for the acquisition of 50 narrow-body aircraft. The memorandum did not specify the manufacturer involved. The airline remains open to considering Airbus as an alternative supplier, contingent on the availability of delivery slots. Airbus has previously indicated that its single-aisle aircraft are fully booked through the remainder of the decade, complicating potential orders.

The finalization of this order will mark a significant step in Vietnam Airlines’ efforts to modernize and expand its fleet in a competitive and politically sensitive aviation market.