An aircraft wet-leased to Bamboo Airways. Photo courtesy of the company
Vietnamese carriers have been leasing aircraft recently to prepare for the imminent travel boom during Tet (Lunar New Year) in January 2025.
Vietravel Airlines recently received a narrow-body plane it wet-leased (leasing both aircraft and crew) from Avion Express, a Lithuania-based aircraft lessor.
Bamboo Airways leased an Airbus A320 earlier this month, increasing its fleet size to eight, and is working with partners to acquire more jets before the Lunar New Year.
Budget carrier Vietjet received delivery of a new A321neo last month as part of its order for 206 aircraft from European manufacturer Airbus. It expects to get 10 more this year.
Vietnam Airlines is looking to lease four Airbus A320 or A321 planes, which are each expected to do 180 flights during the Lunar New Year. They will add 129,600 seats starting this year-end.
The aviation industry has been struggling with a severe shortage of aircraft this year due to engine issues and the restructuring of Bamboo Airways and Pacific Airlines, causing both their fleets to shrink from last year.
Leasing aircraft was challenging earlier this year due to high prices amid high travel demand in many international markets.
But prices have eased now that it is the low tourism season in Europe, according to a spokesperson for a Vietnamese carrier.
The Civil Aviation Authority said airlines have started selling tickets for the Lunar New Year holidays, with Vietnam Airlines offering more than 2.5 million of them and Vietjet 2.6 million.
But demand has been modest due to high fares and people cutting back on spending.
Only a few routes, and only during the last few days of the holidays, are fully booked as opposed to many selling out by this time last year.
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