Vietnamese budget airline VietJet Air has signed a memorandum of understanding with Airbus for the purchase of 20 A330-900 widebody aircraft which, when finalized, will be the carrier’s first-ever widebody order.

The new aircraft, according to the Hanoi-based company, will operate on its growing long-range network and high-capacity regional services, and will replace its current fleet of leased A330-300s while offering the carrier potential for network expansion.

The A330-900, powered by the latest generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, is capable of flying 13,300 kilometres non-stop.

“The new A330neo aircraft [of which the A330-900 is the largest variant] is a strategic addition to comprehensively modernize Vietjet’s fleet, enhancing operational capabilities to support our global flight network expansion plan,” says Dinh Viet Phuong, the carrier’s CEO. “Its fuel-efficient new-generation design aligns with our sustainable development strategy and ESG [environmental, social and governance] goals, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050.

“With the introduction of the A330neo, passengers can look forward to longer-range, well-equipped flights with excellent services at more competitive fares.”

The A330neo will enable the airline to achieve the lowest possible operating costs per seat, adds Christian Scherer, CEO of Airbus’s commercial aircraft business, and will also complement to the A321XLRs already on order with the airline, as it spreads its wings to more distant destinations.

The A330 family of aircraft, as of end-January 2024, has accumulated 1,771 firm orders from more than 130 customers worldwide.