Vietnam Airlines increases fleet

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Vietnam Airlines obtains loan for purchase of 16 Airbus planes


Techcombank Friday granted a US$50-million loan to Vietnam Airlines for the purchase of 16 Airbus A321 planes.


The move comes as part of the national flag carrier’s master plan to triple its fleet from 50 to 150 aircraft by 2020.

The planes will be used to increase flight frequency and open new routes to Northeast Asia.

Last June, Techcombank, together with HSBC and Credit Suisse, signed a US$120-million aircraft financing package with Vietnam Airlines for the purchase of six ATR 72-500 aircraft from France-based manufacturer Toulouse .

Vietnam Airlines has said it plans to become the second biggest Southeast Asian carrier after Singapore Airlines by 2015, when it is scheduled to have 104 aircraft in its fleet.

The airline now flies to 20 cities throughout Vietnam and 23 international destinations.