Airbus reaffirms long-term commitment to Viet Nam

Speaking at an event on November 3 marking 40 years of Airbus’s presence in Viet Nam, President of Airbus International Wouter van Wersch thanked the Vietnamese government, customers and industrial partners for helping to nurture the partnership over the past four decades.

He recalled that Airbus’s cooperation with Viet Nam began in 1986 with a Puma helicopter operated by the Viet Nam Helicopter Corporation in support of offshore oil and gas exploration.

He noted that today the partnership has expanded into many industrial and technological sectors, linking generations.

Van Wersch also pointed out that Airbus has an extensive presence in Viet Nam, with about 230 of its aircraft operated by domestic airlines and more than 220 more on order.

Currently, Airbus aircraft account for 90% of the narrow-body and 50% of the wide-body fleet in Viet Nam, with advantages including lower operating costs, longer range and reduced emissions.

The executive added that Viet Nam is one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, with great potential to develop a thriving aerospace industry.

Against this backdrop, he said Airbus hopes to further strengthen its partnership with Viet Nam, helping to build capabilities, develop a skilled workforce and create new opportunities that will deliver lasting value to the country and future generations.

According to van Wersch, passenger traffic in Viet Nam is projected to grow 7.7% annually over the next 20 years, twice the global average, generating substantial demand for aviation infrastructure and aircraft.

Airbus estimates that Viet Nam will need 1,000 aircraft over the next two decades and stands ready to help meet that demand.

The manufacturer also produces helicopters, a segment with considerable room for growth in Viet Nam. These are used in the oil and gas sector as well as in public services and other missions carried out by Vietnamese government agencies.

In the military sector, Airbus is working with the Ministry of National Defence to expand Viet Nam’s C295 fleet, which performs vital transport operations.

Airbus has also partnered with the Viet Nam Academy of Science and Technology to launch the country’s first Earth observation satellite, VNREDSat-1. The two sides are continuing to cooperate on developing VNREDSat-2.

On the same occasion, at the Viet Nam Aerospace Forum, Airbus signed two memoranda of understanding with Viet Nam Airlines and FPT Corporation on cooperation in digital aviation, designed to help develop Viet Nam’s aerospace industry and support workforce training.