Vietnam Airlines leases 19 more Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft

The agreements were signed on Wednesday at the Farnborough International Airshow 2026 in the UK.

Under the deals, Vietnam Airlines will receive 10 aircraft from Ireland-based SMBC Aviation Capital, four from Ireland-headquartered Avolon Aerospace Leasing Limited, and five from U.S.-based Phoenix Aviation Capital, a company managed by AIP Capital.

Dang Ngoc Hoa, chairman of Vietnam Airlines, said the deals marked the next step in the airline's fleet investment strategy, aimed at preparing for growing demand and strengthening its competitiveness in the coming years.

Securing aircraft scheduled for delivery in 2028 comes as manufacturers face large backlogs, extended delivery times, and intense competition in the aircraft leasing market.

Vietnam currently has 280 aircraft registered under its national registry, including 252 fixed-wing aircraft and 28 helicopters, an increase of 18 aircraft from 2025, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam.

In the first six months of this year, 23 aircraft were newly registered and five were deregistered.

However, 17 Airbus A321neo aircraft have been grounded and placed in long-term storage out of a shortage of Pratt & Whitney engines.

Airlines continue to face strong demand for additional aircraft.