Vietnam’s passenger traffic is expected to grow at an average of 7.7% annually over the next 20 years, Wouter van Wersch, president of the European aircraft manufacturer, told reporters Tuesday.
This strong growth would also result in greater demand for airport infrastructure and operating capacity, he added. Airbus has said it will support Vietnamese businesses in future by providing products and services locally.
|
Airbus 321 at Noi Bai International Airport, Hanoi. Photo by Read/Luu Quy |
Vietnamese carriers currently operate about 230 Airbus aircraft, and have placed orders for more than 220. Airbus has a 90% share of Vietnam’s narrowbody aircraft market and 50% of its widebody market.
As of September, 258 aircraft operated by 13 companies were registered in Vietnam. Besides the 231 used by airlines, the others included helicopters, general aviation aircraft, and seaplanes.
This year, Vietravel Airlines ordered 50 narrowbody aircraft, including A321neos and new-generation A220s. Vietnam Airlines signed a memorandum of understanding to buy five A350 widebody aircraft, while Vietjet Air ordered 40 A330-900s.
Airbus also works with and supports Vietnam’s aerospace industry. In 2013, it partnered with the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology to launch Vietnam’s first Earth-observation satellite, VNREDSat-1.
The satellite was expected to have a lifespan of five years, but has remained in space for more than a decade.
Recently, the governments of France and Vietnam signed a protocol on cooperation to develop the VNREDSat-2 satellite.
Airbus will continue to support Vietnam in carrying out the program, including through technology transfer.