Vietnam Airlines to buy 5 planes, may lease 2 767s
HANOI - State-owned Vietnam Airlines Corp. (Q.VAI) will sign a contract to buy five Airbus
jetliners in the third quarter of this year as part of its 10-year expansion plan, a company official told Dow Jones
Newswires Monday.
Vietnam Airlines spokesman Nguyen Chan said the airline is also considering leasing two Boeing 767 aircraft
before the end of the year in anticipation of its growing operations.
"We are selecting a partner (from whom to lease the aircraft)," Chan said.
Chan said the airline is following plans approved by the
government last year to upgrade and expand Vietnam
Airlines.
In September 2001, the airline signed a letter of intent to buy
five Airbus 321s but the deal wasn't finalized due to the
impact on the global airline industry of the Sept. 11, 2001,
terrorist attacks on the U.S., Chan said.
The airline is considering increasing its aircraft to 36 by 2005
and 40 by 2010, from its current 29, of which 20 are being
leased from foreign firms, Chan said.
The airline is leasing 10 Airbus 320s, two Airbus 321s, five
Boeing 767s and three ART 72s, he said.
According to state media, Vietnam is trying to seal purchasing contracts this year in order to take advantage of
low prices that are being offered by foreign aircraft makers.
Dow Jones - June 24, 2002.
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