VietJet of Vietnam have signed an order for with Boeing for 100 Boeing 737 MAX 200 aircraft.
Vietjet Boeing 737 MAX 200 – Rendering (c) The Boeing Company
The order for 100 planes is valued at US$11.3 billion at Boeing list prices.
The 737 MAX 200 is a development of the 737 MAX 8 that fit up to 200 passengers aboard it – as well as extra emergency escape doors. Originally designed with Ryanair as its launch operator – it seems that Boeing has tempted another company to try the high-capacity 737 MAX 200.
Vietjet currently operates an all-Airbus fleet, operating A319s, A320s and A321s, with orders for A320neo and A321neo aircraft.
It seems the 100 new aircraft will be used for route expansion. According to Vietjet CEO Nguyễn Thị Phương Thảo:
“Vietjet is efficiently operating a fleet of narrow body airplanes. Our investment in a fleet of B737 Max 200 will accommodate our strategy of growing Vietjet’s coming international route network including long haul flights”
The new Boeing 737 MAX 200 aircraft will be delivered from 2019 through to 2023, allowing Vietjet to increase its fleet size to 200 aircraft.
It’s a big move for the low-cost carrier – but as we have seen in the past – Low Cost Carriers like to buy their fleets in bulk for cost savings and efficiencies.
With an order of 100 planes to join its fleet – there’s work to be done on the network side. How Vietjet decides to expand its sphere of operates shall be interesting to see over the coming years.
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