vietjet

Boeing has won an $11.3bn order for 100 737 MAX 200 airplanes from Vietnam’s low-cost airline VietJet Aviation Joint Stock Company (VietJet).

Vietjet aims to expand its domestic and international networks with the newly ordered airplanes, which will be delivered from 2019 through 2023.

With the order, Vietjet also plans to increase its fleet to more than 200 airplanes by the end of 2023.

Vietjet president and CEO Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao said: "Vietjet is efficiently operating a fleet of narrow body airplanes. Our investment in a fleet of B737 Max 200 will accommodate our strategy of growing Vietjet’s coming international route network, including long-haul flights.

"Through this agreement, Vietjet will contribute increasing bilateral trade turnover between Vietnam and the US, as well as the integration and development of the aviation industry in Vietnam.?"

The carrier currently operates more than 250 flights each day with over 50 routes in Vietnam and other international destinations such as Thailand, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, China, Myanmar and Malaysia.

"Vietjet will contribute increasing bilateral trade turnover between Vietnam and the US, as well as the integration and development of the aviation industry in Vietnam.?"

Equipped with CFM International LEAP-1B engines, advanced technology winglets and other improvements, the Boeing 737 MAX provides efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market.

The airplane expects to consume 20% less fuel than the first next-generation 737s and offer the lowest operating costs in its class.

The 737 MAX has so far received 3,098 orders from 65 customers worldwide.

In addition, Boeing has stated that it opened a new 777X composite wing centre (CWC) in Everett, Washington, US, with an investment of more than $1bn.

Located on the north side of the current main final assembly building, the centre will make composite wings for the 777X aircraft, which is Boeing’s latest commercial jetliner.

Image: VietJet finalises order for 100 Boeing 737 MAX 200 aircraft. Photo: courtesy of Boeing.