Vietjet orders 15 A321XLRs to boost international network

Vietjet has ordered 15 Airbus A321XLRs and will be among the first airlines to receive the long-range variant as it looks to grow its international network. The firm order, announced during a visit by Vietjet officials to Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, includes conversion of five A320neo orders. The manufacturer will also set up two A320 full-flight simulators in Ho Chi Minh City and provide a range of training services after the airline signed a new training agreement with Airbus Services. READ: Citilink finally launching Perth-Bali flights. The A321XLR is an evolution of A321LR that provides greater range and payload. Airbus says the aircraft will deliver a range of up to 4,700nm  with 30 percent lower fuel consumption per seat compared to older jets. The addition of the jet will allow Vietjet to expand further its network and start narrow-body operations to destinations as far afield as Australia and Russia. “Vietjet has always been a pioneer in operating new, modern, advanced and fuel-efficient aircraft,’’ Vietjet chief executive  Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao said in the announcement. “We are proud of operating one of the world’s youngest Airbus fleets with an average age of only 2.7 years and this has contributed greatly to Vietjet’s success over the past years. “Following the signing of this contract, the new A321XLR will be the perfect upgrade to Vietjet’s fleet as we look to grow our international flight network.” Airbus chief executive Guillaume Faury noted Vietjet was one of the fastest-growing carriers in the Asian region. “This order is another strong endorsement of our decision to bring true long-range capability to the single-aisle market with the A321XLR, enabling airlines to extend their networks at the lowest possible cost,’’ he said. First launched in December 2011, Vietjet was the first private airline in Vietnam to offer domestic and international services and was a winner of the AirlineRatings 2019 award for the best ultra-low-cost airline.