Vietnam Airlines to lease 19 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft by 2028

Vietnam Airlines announced plans to lease 19 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft from three international lessors at the 2026 Farnborough International Airshow on 22 July. The airline will receive 10 aircraft from SMBC Aviation Capital, four from Avolon Aerospace Leasing Limited, and five from Phoenix Aviation Capital managed by AIP Capital, with deliveries expected in 2028.

The lease agreements add to Vietnam Airlines' existing firm order for 50 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, bringing the carrier's total fleet of this aircraft type to 69. According to Vietnam Airlines, this represents one of the largest fleet investment programmes in the airline's history and reflects the carrier's long-term fleet modernisation strategy amid persistent global aircraft production backlogs and extended delivery lead times.

The Boeing 737 MAX 8 is a new-generation narrow-body aircraft offering approximately 20 per cent greater fuel efficiency and lower carbon emissions compared to older aircraft. The fleet expansion is designed to support network growth, enhance operational efficiency, and meet rising travel demand on domestic and short- to medium-haul international routes while supporting the airline's sustainability objectives. Vietnam Airlines chairman Đặng Ngọc Hòa stated that the announcements reaffirm the carrier's commitment to building a modern, efficient and competitive national airline while strengthening its position as a leading airline in the Asia-Pacific region.