VietJet Air’s first direct delivery A320 from Airbus makes its first flight, 63 A320s on order

VietJet Air’s (VietJetAir.com) (Ho Chi Minh City) first A320 on order from Airbus has reached a new production milestone, with the aircraft having successfully performed its first flight in Toulouse, France. Appearing in its colorful livery (above), the aircraft now enters the final acceptance phase prior to delivery to VietJetAir by the end of 2014.

This A320 is the first of up to 100 A320 that will be acquired by the airline under a deal finalised in February this year. The acquisition plan covers firm orders with Airbus for 63 aircraft, plus 30 purchase rights. In addition the airline will lease seven more aircraft from third party lessors.

The aircraft will join an existing fleet of 16 leased A320s at the fast-growing carrier and will be operated on the airline’s expanding network of domestic and regional services.

In other news, VietJet Air will open a new route connecting Thanh Hoa City and Ho Chi Minh City, helping to tap growing demand for travel between the north central city and the southern hub. The inaugural flight will take off from Ho Chi Minh City on November 25, 2014. The flight duration for this new route is one hour and 55 minutes. The daily flight will depart Ho Chi Minh City at 9 am (0900) and land in Thanh Hoa at 10.55 am (1055). On the return leg, the flight will take off at 11.30 am (1130) in Thanh Hoa and arrive in Ho Chi Minh City at 1.25 pm (1325).

Top Copyright Photo: Airbus (all others by VietJet Air). Airbus A320-214 F-WWBP (msn 6341) will become VN-A697 on delivery.