Vietjet Chairwoman Nguyen Thanh Ha (right), President & CEO Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao (middle) and Jean-Paul Ebanga, President & CEO of CFM International signed the engine order agreement at Dubai Airshow 2015. — VNS Photo

DUBAI (Biz Hub) — Vietjet signed a deal with engine manufacturer CFM International on November 10, ordering 15 additional CFM56-5B engines to power its new Airbus A321 aircraft.

The deal, signed during the Dubai Airshow 2015, is valued at more than US$700 million at list price, including spare engines and a long-term  service agreement.

CFM International will guarantee maintenance of all CFM56-5B-powered aircraft of the airline's current and future fleet. Vietjet now has 18 A230s powered by CFM56-5B engines in a fleet of 29 aircraft.

"The reliability and operating economics of the CFM56-5B engine have helped us stay true to our core values of safety, affordable price and punctuality. CFM International has been a real partner in our growth," Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, president and CEO of Vietjet, said.

"It is exciting to be part of such a dynamic team," Jean-Paul Ebanga, president and CEO of CFM International, said.

"The management team has done an outstanding job and the many accolades they have received are well deserved. It is a real privilege to see, first hand, the success Vietjet continues to achieve. Apart from aircraft engine provision, CFM International will also work closely with Vietjet for support in new technology training for safety and security assurance."

On the same day, Vietjet purchased 30 more Airbus A321s, worth US$3.6 billion. The deal signals the airline's breakthrough in terms of seat capacity growth and route network expansion. — VNS