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VietJet, Vietnam's VietJet, orders 20 additional Airbus planes during Macron's visit to Hanoi

VietJet, a Vietnamese budget airline, announced in a release that it had placed a new order for 20 A330neo wide body jets with Airbus. The announcement came as French President Emmanuel Macron visited Hanoi, Vietnam to meet the country's leaders.

VietJet said that the agreement, which follows a previous deal last year to purchase 20 A330neo aircraft, brings the total number of A330neos VietJet will be purchasing to 40.

The company didn't mention any costs or give a schedule for delivery, but stated that the order was to "support strategic expansion in the next decade".

VietJet chairwoman Nguyen Th Phuong Thao signed the new agreement with Wouter van Wersch.

Thao stated that the new order will "continue to support VietJet’s global flight network extension" as the company intends to increase flights across Asia-Pacific and for possible future long-haul service to Europe.

Van Wersch stated in a press release that "we are proud of the carrier's choice of the A330neo wide-body aircraft to build on their success and we look forward continuing our partnership with VietJet as they expand their reach."

The agreement comes after intense trade negotiations between Vietnam and the United States in order to avoid crippling duties on the Southeast Asian nation.

VietJet's intention to buy Boeing planes has been repeatedly announced by the company. Both Vietnamese and U.S. government officials claim that this will help Vietnam reduce its huge trade surplus.

Budget airline Air Canada has signed a contract to purchase 200 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The deal was first signed in 2016, and then revised. However, no planes have yet been delivered. (Reporting and writing by Phuong NGuyen, Editing by John Mair; Francesco Guarascio)

(source: Reuters)