Vietnam-based Jetstar Pacific has put pen to paper for 10 new Airbus A320s.
The low-cost carrier, a joint venture between Vietnam Airlines and Qantas, has signed a memorandum of understanding for 10 of the current generation A320ceo model of the narrowbody, Airbus said on Monday (European time) at the Farnborough Air Show.
Jetstar Pacific chief executive Le Hong Ha said the aircraft would help the carrier grow international routes. The airline currently had 12 leased A320 in its fleet.
“The new aircraft will allow us to expand our operation on our international network from Vietnam as part of the wider Jetstar Group,” he said in a statement.
“With low operating costs and a comfortable cabin, the A320 enables us to offer our passengers a quality value-based product in a highly competitive market environment.”
Airbus said it was the first time Jetstar Pacific had directly purchased aircraft from the manufacturer.
“We are pleased to have signed our first MOU with Jetstar Pacific,” Airbus chief operating officer for customers John Leahy said.
In addition to its domestic network, Jetstar Pacific served international destinations in China, Thailand, Hong Kong and Taiwan from both its Ho Chi Minh City hub and from Hanoi.
Delivery dates were not disclosed.
In April, Qantas and Vietnam Airlines agreed to a US$139 million funding package for Jetstar Pacific to boost the airline’s fleet to 30 aircraft over the next four years.
Qantas, which owned 30 per cent of Jetstar Pacific would provide $US42 million, while 70 per cent shareholder Vietnam Airlines would contribute the remaining US$97 million, Fairfax Media reported in April 2016.
Qantas also has 99 A320neos on order for delivery from the end of calendar 2017 for the Jetstar group of airlines, which in addition to Vietnam also had operating bases in Singapore, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.
