Vietnam Airlines Seeks Four Aircraft on Wet-Lease for Summer 2024 to Boost Capacity

Vietnam Airlines has initiated a search for additional aircraft capacity through a Request For Proposals (RFP) to secure four aircraft on a wet-lease basis. The objective is to accommodate the anticipated surge in passenger demand during the summer season of 2024. The national carrier of Vietnam aims to commence the wet-lease agreement by June 1, 2024, and plans to extend it for a period of two to three months, aligning with the peak travel period.

While the airline has not specified the type of aircraft or seating configuration it is seeking, the move underscores Vietnam Airlines’ proactive approach to ensuring it can meet the seasonal increase in travel activity. The airline’s fleet, as per ch-aviation’s fleets module, currently consists of a diverse mix of 101 aircraft, including models such as the A321-200, A321-200N, A350-900, B787-10, and B787-9, in addition to ATR72-500s operated by its subsidiary VASCO – Vietnam Air Services.

The need for additional aircraft comes at a time when Vietnam Airlines is facing challenges with its fleet availability. Notably, nine A321neo aircraft are currently grounded due to issues with Pratt & Whitney engines, affecting around 20% of the carrier’s fleet. According to CEO Le Hong Ha, these aircraft could be out of service for up to 300 days. This situation has prompted the airline to look for immediate solutions to ensure uninterrupted service during the high-demand summer months.

The Ministry of Transport in Vietnam has also called upon domestic airlines, including Vietnam Airlines, VietJetAir, and Bamboo Airways, to devise fleet backup plans. This directive aims to mitigate potential delays and cancellations, elevate service quality, and ensure operations adhere to legal standards. With the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) highlighting a critical shortage of aircraft across the country’s airlines and the upcoming engine inspections leading to further reductions in available aircraft, the importance of securing additional capacity through wet-leases becomes evident.

Vietnam Airlines’ decision to issue the RFP for wet-leasing aircraft is a strategic move to navigate the operational challenges it faces, ensuring that it can continue to offer reliable and efficient service to its passengers during one of the busiest travel seasons of the year.