Vietnam’s VietJetAir has celebrated the delivery of its first A320 ordered directly from Airbus at a special ceremony in Toulouse today. The event was attended by top management from the airline, including Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao and Managing Director Luu Duc Khanhm, and witnessed by Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Transport Pham Quy Tieu.

The delivery marks the start of a major expansion at the airline which will see it acquire up to 100 A320 Family aircraft, including 63 on firm order with Airbus. In addition, the airline has purchase rights with Airbus for another 30 aircraft and will lease seven more from third party lessors.

“The A320 has proven to be extremely efficient in service with VietJetAir and is a favourite with our passengers,” said Luu Duc Khanh, Managing Director, VietJetAir. “Based on this experience, we look forward to developing our business across the Asia-Pacific region, with the most economic and comfortable aircraft. We are delighted to celebrate this delivery as we embark on a new phase in our expansion.”

“This ceremony marks a new exciting milestone in our relationship with VietJetAir and with Vietnam, one of the fastest-growing markets in the world,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers. “We are confident that the reliable and proven A320 Family, combining the lowest operating costs with the highest levels of passenger comfort, will play a key role in enabling VietJetAir to fly to even greater heights.”

VietJetAir first took to the skies in 2011 and is the first private airline in Vietnam to operate domestic and international flights. Today, the carrier operates a fleet of 17 leased A320s on a network covering Vietnam and a growing number of destinations across Asia.  The 63 aircraft already on firm order with Airbus comprise 14 A320ceo, seven A321ceo and 42 A320neo.

Airbus press release