Vietnam Airlines sinks $2.5 bil into eco-friendly fleet

The Viet Nam Aircraft Leasing Joint Stock Company (VALC) recently received an ATR72-500 aircraft as agreed in a contract signed between it and French Avion de Transport Regional (ATR).

The aircraft is the first of five 72-500 aircraft to be delivered by ATR.

VALC transferred the aircraft to the Vietnam Airlines, following a previously signed leasing contract between the two companies.

The event marked the first time a domestic aircraft leasing company had officially joined the international aviation market, VALC said.

The ATR72-500 is the latest development of the ATR72 produced by the Avion de Transport Regional. The ATR72-500 passenger aircraft with more than 70 seats is used for domestic and inner-regional flight routes. It is a very popular choice among aviation service providers worldwide and uses environmentally friendly technology.

The ATR72 has been successfully and effectively employed by the national flag carrier on domestic flight routes for nearly 20 years.

Tran Long, VALC’s general director, said the remaining four ART72-500 aircraft were scheduled for delivery between June and December this year.

Apart from buying five ATR72-500s, VALC has also signed two large contracts to buy 10 Airbus A321-200 aircraft and eight Boeing B787s at a total investment of US$2.5 billion.

VALC was established in 2007 by Viet Nam’s leading economic corporations, including the Bank for Investment and Development of Viet Nam, Vietnam Airlines, PetroVietnam and Vinashin.

Vietnam News

Tags: flights to Vietnam, Vietnam airlines, Vietnam aviation