Vietnam Airlines places provisional order with Airbus for five Airbus A350-900s - Bangkok Post

French President Emmanuel Macron (right) and Vietnamese General Secretary and President To Lam (second left) witness a signing ceremony between Airbus Executive Vice President International Wouter van Wersch], Vietravel Airlines Board Chairman Do Vinh Quang and T&T Group Executive President Do Quang Hien at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Thursday. (Photo: Pool via Reuters) Vietnam ​Airlines has signed a memorandum of understanding with ​Airbus to buy ‌five A350-900 jets, the carrier said on Friday, confirming earlier Reuters reports.

The aircraft are scheduled for delivery in 2033 and 2034, Vietnam's flag carrier said ​in ⁠a statement. The value of the deal was not disclosed.

"Vietnam Airlines has identified the acquisition of 30 widebody ‌aircraft beyond 2030 as a strategic priority in its fleet development plan," it said.

The agreement was among several deals ⁠signed between Vietnam and France during Vietnamese leader To Lam's visit to Paris for the International Space Summit.

"We believe that the A350-900, with its long-haul capabilities and operational efficiency, ​can support Vietnam Airlines' plans to expand its international network in the years ahead," Benoit ​de ‌Saint-Exupery, Airbus executive vice president of sales for commercial aircraft, said in the statement.

French ​President ⁠Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday that France and Vietnam were also close to ⁠completing a deal for three NH90 helicopters from Airbus Helicopters.

Other agreements signed during Lam's visit included a letter of intent between ⁠Vietravel Airlines and Airbus for the ​purchase of 20 A220 aircraft and 30 A321 jets, with deliveries expected to begin in 2029, the Vietnamese government said.