Boeing Finalizes 787 Order With Vietnam Airlines

The Boeing Company has announced that Vietnam Airlines and Vietnam Aircraft Leasing have finalized an order for a total of 12 Boeing 787-8s with a list value of approximately $2 billion.

Vietnam Airlines will take four of the new airplanes and Vietnam Aircraft Leasing (VALC) will purchase the remaining eight Dreamliners, leasing them to Vietnam Airlines. The combined Vietnam order pushes 787 order totals to 802.

The airline’s first 787-8, from the previous order, is planned for delivery in 2009. Vietnam Airlines plans to operate a total of 20 purchased and leased 787s by 2015, and 28 Dreamliners by the year 2020, making the airplane a key element in the airline’s international strategy.

Pham Ngoc Minh, president and CEO of Vietnam Airlines, said: “We are proud to be one of the launch customers of the 787 Dreamliner and look forward to putting these new-generation airplanes into operation. We believe the Boeing 787-8s will help Vietnam Airlines to effectively expand its current fleet and network, and increase its capabilities for further growth and sustainable development.”