The move aims to help the airline to better meet passengers’ increasing demand during the peak summer travel season.
As the largest member of the 787 family, the Boeing 787-10 is the most modern and largest aircraft used in Vietnam at present. With a length of more than 68m, including 24 business-class seats and 343 economy-class seats, the Boeing 787-10 carries 15% more passengers and cargo compared to the Boeing 787-9.
According to the airline, its wide-body aircraft mainly operate on international routes, connecting Vietnam to Northeast Asia, Europe, Australia, the United States, as well as on domestic routes between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
Vietnam Airlines now has nearly 100 aircraft, including five Boeing 787-10, 11 Boeing 787-9, and 14 Airbus A350.
As of July, the total number of aircraft of Vietnamese airlines with an air operator certificate (AOC) stood at 195, marking a drop of 36 compared to the same period last year, according to statistics from the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam.
Of the total, the number of commercial aircraft utilised by the airlines was 167, an annual decline of 51.
Last year witnessed the ratio of operating aircraft among those with AOC reach 94.4%. However, this rate has dropped to 85.6% this year due to the recall of engines.
Specifically, as of July Vietnam Airlines had 96 aircraft, a drop of six compared to last year’s corresponding period. Of those, the carrier is utilising 82.
Vietjet Air is currently operating 73 out of its 85 aircraft, Bamboo Airways is operating eight out of its nine aircraft, while Vietravel Airlines is operating its three aircraft.
