Vietnam Airlines Plans to Double Fleet by 2015
The national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines has submitted to the Prime Minister for approval a plan to double its fleet by 2015, aiming to meet rapidly increasing demand for both domestic and international flights, said Vietnam Airlines General Director Nguyen Xuan Hien.
This is part of the airline’s strategy to raise its annual capacity to 11 million passengers by 2015 from the current level of 6.5 million, Hien said.
The national carrier has ordered 10 Airbus A321 planes, with the first delivery expected in January next year, Hien said.
It has also signed a contract to purchase four Boeing 787 Dreamliners, with the first delivery scheduled in 2010.
Under the plan, the firm will purchase an additional 19 aircraft beginning in 2012 and will lease 10 others, he added.
The airline said it will lease one Airbus A330 and one ART-72 this month.
It is now preparing for a direct route from Hanoi to Luang Prabang to be launched this winter.
Vietnamese
