Cabinet leader meets with Airbus Group CEO

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung met with Airbus Group CEO Thomas Enders in Hanoi on July 1, using the opportunity to express his confidence in co-operation prospects between Airbus and leading Vietnamese airlines.

PM Nguyen Tan Dung receives Airbus Group CEO Thomas Enders in Hanoi on July 1. (Image credit: VNA)
PM Nguyen Tan Dung receives Airbus Group CEO Thomas Enders in Hanoi on July 1. (Image credit: VNA)

The Cabinet leader spoke highly of collaboration between the aircraft manufacturer and Vietnam in recent years, requesting them to uphold their contracts, including those on 10 wide-body planes A350-900 XWB, contributing to the development the fleet of Vietnamese airlines.

He suggested both sides design long-term cooperation strategies, in which the Airbus Group would further assist Vietnam in training personnel and developing technical infrastructure, including maintenance facilities and aircraft component factories.

Vietnam is willing to discuss and promote its affiliation with Airbus in the fields of airspace and military , including transport planes and defence equipment, he added.

Enders said Airbus attaches importance to the Vietnamese market as well as long-term cooperation with the country, confirming that it would support local airlines in modernising their fleets as well as offer technical and personnel assistance to help them successfully operate the Airbus Group’s aircrafts.

An A350-900 XWB was recently handed over to Vietnam Airlines, which the executive said marked Vietnam as the first in Asia and the second in the world to purchase the model. Airbus will provide maximum support to Vietnam Airlines to put the aircraft into operation and ensure a timely delivery of the other ordered vessels.

Enders added that his firm is keen to work with the country in military aircraft and airspace. It will offer help to build and run aircraft maintenance facilities and consider setting up component manufacturing establishments in the future.