VietJet boosts air cargo capability with 737 order

In a move that could reconfigure the regional air cargo market, VietJet has finalized an order for 100 single-aisle 737 MAX 200 jets. The signing ceremony for the estimated US$11.3 billion deal, conducted by VietJet President and CEO Nguyễn Thị Phương Thảo and Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Ray Conner in Hanoi, concludes the largest-ever single commercial airplane purchase in Vietnam’s aviation history.

Vietjet is increasing its international and domestic destinations as fast as its capacity will allow, adding Ho Chi Minh City and Kuala Lumpur this month. And while narrowbody jets carry less cargo than their widebody counterparts, 100 more aircraft represent a significant cargo capacity increase and positions the carrier as a strong contender in markets that it adds.

Once delivered, the 100 additional aircraft will almost triple the number of jets in service at VietJet – up from 36 A320s – creating one of the largest low-cost carriers in the region. The first deliveries are slated for 2019 through 2023, bringing the fleet to more than 200 aircraft by the end of 2023, according to Reuters.

According VietJet Air Cargo, the handling services at Vietnam’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport have been upgraded with a new Cargo Operations Intelligent System (COSYS) that is also used in other major airports in the region. In the same vein, EVA Air Cargo announced that, as of June 15, Vietnam Customs will begin the implementation of advanced data electronic presentation for all cargo shipments imported into Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport (HAN). Importers will be required to submit “mandatory cargo data” in advance, from that point on.