Vietnam Airlines took delivery Sunday of a brand new Boeing 777-200ER, the final aircraft of a four-jet deal guaranteed by the official US export credit agency the Export-Import Bank.
The plane, which touched down at Hanoi's Noi Bai international airport, is part of the state-run carrier's ambitious fleet and route expansion programme.
The company in January announced plans to double its fleet by 2010 in a bid to establish itself as a major player in the regional aviation industry.
The carrier already has two leased 777s in operation, and in August last year took delivery of its first wholly-owned 777-200ER.
The second Boeing from this four-jet deal was put into operation in October and the third was handed over in July this year.
Vietnam Airlines is also currently in talks with insurance giant American International Group to lease two more 777s.
Last month state media said the carrier was negotiating the purchase of between 10 and 15 Boeing 7E7 aircraft from the US aviation giant in a deal worth up to 1.8 billion dollars.
Boeing has confirmed that a memorandum of understanding on the purchase of the all new 7E7s was signed but has declined to give any further details.
In May Vietnam Airlines signed a "protocol of intention" to purchase 10 Airbus A321 aircraft between 2006 and 2010.
Over the past year the carrier, which flies to about 25 international destinations, has inaugurated a number of new routes and has earmarked further expansion, including flights to the United States by the end of 2005.
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