Budget airline competition heats up further with the announcement of a significant Airbus deal
**Vietjet Announces Major Expansion with 150 Airbus A321neo and A330neo Orders**
Vietnamese low-cost carrier Vietjet has made a significant move in the aviation industry, announcing an order for 100 Airbus A321neo aircraft at the 2025 Le Bourget Paris Airshow, with an option for an additional 50 planes. This strategic decision marks a pivotal step towards Vietjet's ambition to become a multi-national aviation group with broader international reach.
The new order will significantly increase Vietjet’s narrowbody fleet, currently comprising over 120 aircraft, mostly Airbus models. This expansion will strengthen Vietjet’s operational capability and fuel its route expansion within Asia and beyond, including increased connectivity to Southeast Asia, East Asia, India, and Australia.
Complementing this order, Vietjet has also recently ordered A330neo widebody jets, preparing to bolster its presence in the Asia-Pacific market and support future long-haul flights, including Europe. This fleet modernization will not only accelerate Vietjet’s growth and connectivity but also contribute to transforming regional aviation markets through enhanced capacity, modern technology, and sustainable operations.
The A321neo and A330neo align with shifting market expectations towards greener travel options, supporting Vietjet's sustainability goals. The A321neo, with new-generation engines and Sharklets, offers a 50% reduction in noise and over 20% savings in fuel and CO2 emissions compared to previous models. Similarly, the A330neo, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, targets full Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) capability by 2030.
Vietjet Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao aims to make Vietnam a regional aviation hub for various services, including passenger transportation, technical services, logistics, training, research, global supply chains, and aviation infrastructure. These investments are expected to boost Vietjet's capacity across key Asia-Pacific routes and open new long-haul services to Europe.
The A321neo and A330neo's fuel efficiency, long range, and widebody comfort will support expanded service across the Asia-Pacific and future routes to Europe. Vietjet's aggressive fleet expansion positions it as a serious long-haul contender, challenging established low-cost long-haul rivals like Scoot and AirAsia X.
This agreement is a significant milestone in Vietjet's transformation into a multinational aviation group. Vietjet has an option to add another 50 Airbus A321neo aircraft in the future, reinforcing Airbus’s strong position in the single-aisle aircraft market, especially in Asia, and underscoring the A321neo’s popularity for carriers pursuing growth and efficiency.
In conclusion, Vietjet's commitment to acquiring up to 150 Airbus A321neos and A330neos signifies a bold step towards expanding its fleet, network, and global influence. This expansion will not only accelerate Vietjet’s growth and connectivity but also contribute to transforming regional aviation markets through enhanced capacity, modern technology, and sustainable operations.
Airline news highlights Vietjet's decision to order 150 Airbus A321neo and A330neo aircraft, a move aimed at bolstering their finance by accelerating growth, connectivity, and contributing to the transformation of regional aviation markets. The new fleet, including A321neo with fuel-efficient engines and A330neo for long-haul flights, aims to strengthen operational capability and expand routes, particularly to Southeast Asia, East Asia, India, Australia, and Europe.
