Vietnam Order a Boost for Airbus

WING makers at Airbus’s centre of excellence near Chester were given their second boost within a matter of days yesterday, when an Asian airline placed a major order for new aircraft.

But, as with British Airways’s order last week, Vietnam Airlines is splitting its order between the European aircraft maker and its American rival Boeing – with the two battling for market share in one of the world’s fastest growing economies after China.

Vietnam Airlines has provisionally agreed to buy 10 Airbus A350- 900 mid-sized, wide-bodied jets and 20 A320 family single-aisle jets in a deal worth close to pounds 1.9bn at list prices. It is also buying 12 competing 787 Dreamliner planes from Boeing, adding to the four 787s it already has on order.

The Hanoi-based carrier currently operates a fleet of 23 Airbus aircraft, including A320 family aircraft and A330s.

Nguyen Sy Hung, the airline’s chief executive, said: “The A350 XWB will further consolidate our successful growth and long-term development into the future.”

Last Thursday, BA announced a pounds 4bn deal to buy 12 Airbus A380 super-jumbos and 24 787s. It said it was also considering buying other jets, including the A350 XWB, from the two manufacturers.

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