VietJetAir leases new fuel-saving A320 aircraft

April 24, 2013 | 09:10

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VietJetAir has signed an agreement with global aircraft leasing firm AWAS to lease three Sharklet-equipped Airbus A320 aircraft.

Luu Duc Khanh, managing director of VietJetAir, receives an Airbus A320 Sharklet aircraft model from Ray Sisson (R), president and CEO of AWAS - Photo: Courtesy of VietJetAir

The signing in HCMC on Monday will make the low-cost air carrier the first operator of such aircraft with new fuel-saving wing tip device in Vietnam.

VietJetAir did not disclose the deal value. However, the airline told the Daily via email that it would take delivery of those Sharklet-equipped Airbus aircraft from September this year.

VietJetAir will be able to save cost with the Airbus A320 aircraft equipped with Sharklets that were launched last year and made from light-weight, 2.4-meter-tall composites.

Developed as an option for newly-built A320 aircraft, they allow airlines to reduce fuel emissions by up to 4% over longer sectors and reduce some 1,000 tons of CO2 emissions per aircraft per year. Sharklets also offer operators the flexibility of either adding a range of 100 nautical miles or an increased payload capability of up to 450 kilograms.

Pritam Singh, deputy general director of VietJetAir, said in a statement that the new Airbus A320 aircraft would join VietJetAir’s growing fleet and assist in its efforts to provide passengers with cost options.

“We have proved successful as a new generation airline that is dedicated to offering quality passenger-oriented services and lower cost options for domestic and regional air travel. We look forward to opening up new tourist and business opportunities across Vietnam,” Singh said.

Ray Sisson, president and chief executive officer of AWAS, said in the statement that this company worked with VietJetAir to offer aircraft with the right specifications to meet its needs, to help fuel further growth.

“This airline’s continued investment in expanding and modernizing its fleet to offer a high-quality low-cost carrier model to their customers has met with strong success,” Sisson said.

VietJetAir currently operates six Airbus A320 aircraft configured with 180 seats for 300 weekly flights to Vietnam’s major commercial and tourist destinations well as one international route connecting Bangkok and HCMC. The airline will launch more routes in summer, including the Hanoi - Bangkok run.

With the new Sharklet-equipped Airbus A320 aircraft, VietJetAir is proceeding with its plans to further expand wings into Asia, including Kuala Lumpur, Busan, Seoul, Singapore and Taipei.

SGT

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