Vietnamese national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines, on Monday the 22nd of October 2019, welcomed its 100th aircraft to join its fleet at Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) in Hanoi. In a ceremony attended by Deputy Prime Minister, Truong Hoa Binh, Vietnam Airlines welcomed the arrival of a brand new Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner, the third in an order of eight aircraft.

Interestingly, according to FlightRadar24, the aircraft registration number VN-A873 had arrived in Hanoi three days earlier from Osaka, Japan. On the day of the arrival ceremony, the aircraft performed a short 45-minute flight before arriving for all the fanfare.

Vietnam Airlines expects its current order for eight 787-10 to be completed by March 2021

Vietnam Airlines received its first Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners in August of 2019 and expects to have all eight of its order delivered by March of 2021.

Vietnam Airlines 787-10
Vietnam Airlines has eight 787-10 orders with Boeing. Photo: Vietnam Airlines

Currently, the 787-10 is the largest aircraft operating with any Vietnamese carrier. The first two planes to arrive have already completed 140 flights, according to the Voice of Vietnam.

The first two Boeing 787-10 in the Vietnam Airlines fleet have been used to carry passengers between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and between Vietnam and Seoul, South Korea.

The arrival of the 100th aircraft demonstrates Vietnam Airlines growth

While speaking at the welcoming ceremony, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Vietnam Airlines, Pham Ngoc Minh, acknowledged the arrival of the airline's latest plane calling it a milestone.

vietnam-airlines-100
Vietnam Airlines is one of the biggest in Southeast Asia. Photo: Vietnam Airlines

Aviation website FlightGlobal quotes Pham Ngoc Minh as saying,

“This opens up new development opportunities for Vietnam Airlines on its quest to leverage Vietnam’s aviation industry among leading airlines in the region and the world.

“The new generation fleet does not only supplements Vietnam’s national security and defense but also helps Vietnam Airlines strengthen its operational efficiency thanks to its reduced fuel consumption and emissions as well as service quality."

Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh mentioned that the arrival of the new Boeing jet, which takes Vietnam Airlines aircraft numbers to 100 demonstrates the growth of Vietnamese aviation in general and Vietnam Airlines in particular.

Vietnam Airlines also has 14 Airbus A350s in its fleet

While pointing out that the number of aircraft being operated by an airline was a demonstration of strength, adding quality, service, technical infrastructure, and the right personnel were all key steps in the airline's development.

Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner
Vietnam Airlines is looking to lease out planes amidst ongoing hits to its revenue. Photo: Vietnam Airlines

Somewhat surprisingly unless you were aware of the facts, Vietnam Airlines has the second largest fleet of wide-body aircraft in Southeast Asia. Currently, the Vietnamese full-service airline flies 11 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, three Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, and 14 Airbus A350s.

While Vietnam Airlines' wide-body jets are primarily deployed on long-haul international routes the airline has an impressive number of narrow-body single-aisle aircraft.

Mostly deployed on domestic and shorter regional flights Vietnam’s biggest airline has 52 Airbus A321s and 14 Airbus A321neos. Along with the European jets, Vietnam Airlines has six ATR-72s that it uses on less popular routes and for airports that can’t handle the jets.