KEY POINTS
- Vietnam Airlines has agreed to buy 50 Boeing 737-8 narrow-body jets valued at about $8.1 billion.
- Aircraft deliveries are planned from 2030 to 2032, boosting the carrier’s future fleet capacity.
- The deal is part of broader Vietnamese airline commitments with Boeing totaling around 90 jets.
Vietnam Airlines has signed a major aircraft procurement agreement with U.S. aerospace manufacturer Boeing, securing an order for 50 narrow-body 737-8 jets valued at approximately $8.1 billion. The deal, announced on Thursday, marks a significant step in the national carrier’s long-term fleet development and is expected to support future network expansion both domestically and regionally.
Under the agreement, Vietnam Airlines plans to take delivery of the new 737-8 aircraft between 2030 and 2032. These modern narrow-body jets will be added to the airline’s fleet as it prepares to meet rising travel demand across Southeast Asia and beyond. By acquiring the Boeing-designed planes, the flag carrier aims to increase overall fleet capacity and improve operational efficiency as global air travel continues to rebound.
The 737-8 model is part of Boeing’s 737 MAX family, known for its fuel-efficient performance and updated avionics. Airlines worldwide have adopted the 737 MAX series to lower operating costs and expand route coverage, particularly for short- to medium-haul flights. The addition of these jets will allow Vietnam Airlines to modernize a portion of its fleet and respond to growing passenger volumes projected over the next decade.
This purchase also reflects strengthening ties between Vietnam and Boeing amid broader aviation industry growth in the Asia-Pacific region. The deal was formalized alongside other significant aircraft commitments by Vietnamese carriers.
In parallel with Vietnam Airlines’ order, newly established Sun PhuQuoc Airways signed a separate agreement with Boeing to acquire 40 long-haul 787-9 Dreamliner jets valued at about $22.5 billion. Additionally, budget carrier Vietjet secured financing of approximately $965 million to purchase six Boeing 737-8 aircraft under a different transaction. Together, these agreements represent a comprehensive aircraft procurement strategy by multiple Vietnamese airlines.
Industry analysts say such large-scale orders underline Vietnam’s intent to strengthen its aviation capacity as passenger traffic rebounds following the global pandemic. Aviation markets across Southeast Asia are among the fastest growing worldwide, making fleet expansion critical for carriers seeking to capture rising travel demand. Vietnam Airlines, long a central player in the country’s air transport sector, has forecast significant growth in annual passengers in the coming years, driving the need for new, fuel-efficient aircraft.
The announcement also comes amid ongoing discussions between Vietnamese airlines and Boeing regarding potential additional purchases, including talks over wide-body aircraft valued up to $12 billion. If finalized, further aircraft acquisitions could extend Vietnam Airlines’ expansion into longer international services and support increased global connectivity.
Vietnam Airlines currently operates a mixed fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft, and this latest order marks a renewed emphasis on Boeing products for its narrow-body segment. As the carrier moves toward an enlarged fleet size by the end of the decade, these Boeing jets will play a central role in its modernization strategy and ability to serve both existing and emerging air travel markets.
