Vietnam Airlines signs MoU to buy 50 Boeing 737 MAX jets

National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines signed a memorandum of understanding with U.S. plane maker Boeing in Hanoi on Monday to buy 50 Boeing 737 Max aircraft for US$10 billion during U.S. President Joe Biden’s two-day state visit to Vietnam, which wrapped up on the same day. Brad McMullen, senior vice-president for Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said that the Boeing 737 MAX is a suitable selection for Vietnam Airlines to meet demands in the region. The Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, equipped with 150-230 seats each, is currently being used by 70 airlines worldwide. Tran Thanh Hien, financial manager at Vietnam Airlines, told reporters on the sidelines of the signing ceremony that carriers and Vietnam Airlines are short of funds due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Vietnam Airlines expects to secure financial support from Boeing, the U.S. government, and other financial institutions to complete the purchase, said Hien.