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Singapore / AFP
Vietnamese budget carrier VietJet Air said on Thursday it had signed a $3.04 billion deal with US engine maker Pratt & Whitney, underscoring the growth potential of Southeast Asia’s low-cost airline market.
The engines will power the 63 Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft ordered by the carrier, VietJet said in a statement at the Singapore Airshow. The agreement is worth $3.04 billion, VietJet said.
Industry players have said that Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, is a key growth market for budget air travel, driven by the region’s growing middle class, many of whom are travelling for the first time.
“We are delighted to choose the PurePower Geared Turbofan engine for our fleet of Airbus A320neo and A321neo jets,” said VietJet president and chief executive Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao.
Founded in 2007, VietJet says it currently has a fleet of 34 aircraft, including A320s and A321s, and operates 200 flights each day.