Vietnam Airlines nears finalization of 50 Boeing 737 MAX orders

Vietnam Airlines is close to finalizing a provisional order for 50 Boeing 737 MAX jets, supported by a new memorandum of understanding with Vietcombank for funding the purchase. While the airline did not confirm the manufacturer in its announcement, previous agreements with Boeing and repeated statements from Vietnamese and U.S. officials suggest that the deal is with the American plane maker. The acquisition is part of Vietnam Airlines’ long-term fleet development strategy, aimed at expanding its short- and medium-haul network in domestic and regional Asian markets. This investment also aligns with efforts to address the trade imbalance between Vietnam and the United States, as U.S. officials have noted the significance of such purchases. Vietcombank has a history of supporting Vietnam Airlines' fleet expansion, having previously financed both Boeing and Airbus aircraft. The deal comes as Boeing faces delivery challenges due to production slowdowns and supply chain issues, but also has available aircraft as Chinese airlines decline deliveries amidst ongoing trade tensions.