Vietnamese airlines place massive USD 30 billion order for 90 Boeing jets amid new trade deal negotiations
Dhaka: Three Vietnamese airlines placed orders for a total of jet aircraft from American aerospace manufacturer Boeing on Thursday, February 19, as Vietnam and the United States continued negotiations on a new trade deal.
The deals were inked when To Lam, the head of Vietnam's Communist Party, made a state visit to the United States to attend the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace, an initiative President Donald Trump launched to address global conflicts.
According to media reports, the country's national carrier, Vietnam Airlines, has agreed to purchase 50 narrow-body 737-8 MAX aircraft for USD 8.1 billion. The airline expects to receive the newly ordered jets between 2030 and 2032, bringing its fleet size to 151 by 2030.
In an official statement, Vietnam Airlines said, apart from the narrow-body deal, it is in discussions with Boeing for another order for 30 wide-body planes worth up to USD 12 billion.
Newly established leisure-focused airline Sun PhuQuoc Airways has also signed an agreement to purchase 40 787-9 Dreamliner jets, with a total value of USD 22.5 billion.
Meanwhile, low-cost carrier Vietjet has secured a USD 965 million financing deal with Griffin Global Asset Management to acquire six 737-8 MAX aircraft.
Earlier this month, Vietnam said it was looking to import more American products after the White House announced in October that the US would keep imposing a 20% tariff on most Vietnamese goods while removing duties on certain products.
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