In 2025, Vietnam Airlines Corporation - JSC (VNA) will finalize its selection of a supplier and sign a contract to purchase 50 narrow-body aircraft with a total investment exceeding VND 92 trillion (over USD 3.6 billion).

The announcement was made by Dang Ngoc Hoa, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vietnam Airlines, during the 2025 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders held on the morning of June 25.

According to Hoa, the investment in 50 narrow-body aircraft is a cornerstone of VNA’s fleet development strategy for 2025-2035. It aims to enhance operational capacity, modernize the fleet, and expand the corporation’s scale of operations.

“This investment targets the expansion of short- and medium-haul routes in key markets such as Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, and the domestic network, where passenger demand is rapidly growing and competition is intensifying,” Hoa said.

The fleet configuration is divided into two narrow-body aircraft groups, equivalent to the A321 and A320 lines, aligning with current infrastructure and VNA’s flexible operational direction.

The corporation has already initiated contractor selection, negotiations, and signed a contract to purchase 50 Boeing 737-8 aircraft, following regulations and within the approved investment scale of over USD 3.6 billion.

Strategic plans for wide-body aircraft and fleet renewal

Also in 2025, VNA will evaluate and proceed with an investment project for 20 wide-body aircraft. Concurrently, the airline is developing plans to expand its aircraft resources for the 2028–2030 period.

To address the current shortage of aircraft, CEO Le Hong Ha noted that VNA will continue to rely on dry and wet leasing, along with engine leasing, particularly during peak travel seasons.

In tandem with fleet expansion, the corporation will also review and update its old aircraft liquidation plan. From 2021 to 2024, VNA sold five older A321CEO aircraft. In 2025, it plans to liquidate an additional six A321CEO aircraft and six ATR72s. This is a reduction from a previous plan to sell 32 aircraft, including 26 A321CEO and six ATR72 units during 2021-2025.

The change stems from delays in upgrading Con Dao Airport-home to the ATR fleet-as the Ba Ria-Vung Tau province has yet to announce a specific timeline. Given shifting operational demands, VNA will continue operating ATR aircraft through the end of 2025.

Additionally, the current aircraft leasing and sales market faces rising prices and limited supply. As such, the sale of the remaining six aircraft will be postponed to preserve operational capacity.

“VNA will continue to review its aircraft sales strategy to ensure competitive pricing, cost recovery, and alignment with fleet needs, especially amid challenges like PW engine recalls and global supply chain disruptions. Acquiring and leasing aircraft on the market has become increasingly difficult,” Ha added.

N. Huyen