VietJet Aviation Joint Stock Company (Vietjet Air) and the US’s Boeing Commercial Airplanes (BCA) have inked a contract worth 12.7 billion USD for 100 new 737 MAX planes according to list prices.

 

Vietjet Air President and CEO Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao and BCA President and CEO Kevin McAllister signed the deal on February 27, witnessed by Party General Secretary and President of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong and US President Donald Trump.

 

The signing ceremony took place on the occasion of the DPRK-USA Hanoi Summit Vietnam on February 27-28.

 

Kevin McAllister said the BCA is pleased to expand its partnership with Vietjet Air and contribute to the carrier’s growth.

 

The new and state-of-the-art airplanes such as the 737 MAX will help Vietjet grow more efficiently and bring great travel experiences for its passengers.

 

The strong growth of Vietjet and the country’s aviation sector has helped stimulate travel within Vietnam and connecting Vietnam with the rest of Asia, he said, adding that Boeing is proud to support this economic development, which in turn supports engineering and manufacturing jobs in the US.

 

In 2016, Vietjet Air signed an order for 100 B737 MAX planes with Boeing - the biggest commercial aircraft deal in Vietnam’s aviation industry. It is now the largest B737 MAX customer in Asia.

 

Vietjet Air President and CEO Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao said the signing of today’s deal is one of the important steps of Vietjet in its international flight network expansion plan with a higher capacity, thus offering passengers with more exciting experiences when being able to fly to more new international destinations.

 

In addition to the aircraft deal, Boeing will partner with Vietjet to support the airline as well as the Vietnamese aviation industry to enhance technical expertise, train pilots and technicians as well as improve management capabilities. 

 

The same day, Vietjet Air and the US’s General Electric Group signed a 5.3 billion USD agreement on long-term service maintenance of LEAP-1B engine. 

 

The agreement includes the provision of backup engines and service packages for the new and modern aircraft that the airline had ordered.-VNA