Hanoi (VNA) - Vietjet Air has announced an agreement with Pratt & Whitney, a global leader in aircraft engines and engine services under RTX Corporation, to equip 44 Airbus A320neo airliners with Geared Turbofan (GTF) engines, including 24 A321neo and 20 A321XLR aircraft, bringing its total orders for GTF-powered aircraft to 137.
Deliveries are expected to begin in July 2026. Under the agreement, Pratt & Whitney will also provide engine maintenance services for Vietjet through a 12-year EngineWise® comprehensive maintenance plan.
Vietjet Managing Director Nguyen Thanh Son said that the airline highly values its partnership with Pratt & Whitney and the company’s next-generation technologies.
“The GTF engine is powering our growth with industry-leading operating economics and fuel efficiency of up to 20% [lower than earlier aircraft],” he said. “We continue to trust in the long-term, comprehensive and responsible partnership with Pratt & Whitney.”
Vietjet took delivery of its first A321neo aircraft in 2018 and currently operates 42 A321neo aircraft powered by GTF engines. The airline plans to equip a total of 93 aircraft in its fleet with this engine type.
Rick Deurloo, President and Chief Commercial Officer of Pratt & Whitney, said Vietjet joined the GTF engine family a decade ago, and its latest selection further demonstrates confidence in the GTF platform. He added that the new order would enable Vietjet to maximise the benefits of one of the most efficient engines for single-aisle aircraft, while reaffirming Pratt & Whitney’s long-term commitment to supporting the airline’s network expansion.
The GTF engine is currently regarded as the most efficient in the single-aisle segment, reducing fuel consumption by up to 20% and noise levels by 75% compared with previous-generation engines. To date, more than 2,600 GTF-powered aircraft have been delivered to over 90 customers worldwide.
Pratt & Whitney is preparing to introduce the GTF Advantage engine later this year, which will offer higher payload and longer range, along with increased durability and double the time on wing. The company is also continuing to invest in expanding its maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) network and strengthening its supply chain capacity to meet growing customer demand.
Vietjet is pursuing the development of a modern and flexible fleet alongside an expanding flight network, contributing to the growth of the aviation industry and the regional economy. The airline currently operates an extensive Asia–Pacific network, connecting Vietnam and Thailand with destinations in Australia, India, Kazakhstan, China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, with gradual expansion planned towards Europe.
Through strategic partnerships with leading global aviation and technology groups, Vietjet aims to deliver safe, high-quality and competitively priced air travel services to passengers worldwide./.
VNA
