PM joins launching event for Airbus A350-900 XWB

Vietnam Airlines (VNA) held a ceremony at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi on July 2 to receive its first Airbus A350-900 XWB, in which Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung joined domestic and foreign guests in a takeoff ceremony. 

PM Nguyen Tan Dung and deputies took part in a launching event for the Airbus A350-900 XWB at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi on July 2.

The special event marks the development of Vietnam’s national flag carrier in a move to become one of the leading airlines in the region and among the most favoured in Asia by 2020.

On behalf of the Vietnamese government, PM Dung congratulated VNA on its A350-900 new-generation aircraft, while speaking highly of the effective co-operation between VNA and Airbus Group. He also praised VNA’s announcement of an upgrade programme of its service quality to meet the four-star rating and its new brand-identifying system.

He called for Airbus’s continued support of Vietnam in human resource training and development of technical logistics facilities, affirming that Vietnam is willing to co-operate with Airbus in other fields.

At the ceremony, PM Dung witnessed the signing of a technical co-operation agreement between Vietnam Airlines and Airbus Group in which Airbus pledged to provide a full package of parts and supplies for the airlines’ A350 aircrews over 12 years.

The A350-900 XWB is the latest generation wide body airliner. It features the most advanced technology in aerodynamics, light-weight materials and aircraft systems. These latest technologies translate into unrivalled levels of operational efficiency, with 25% in fuel burn and emissions, and significantly lower maintenance costs. Powered by the ultra-fuel-efficient and very quiet Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines, and an extra-wide, bright and spacious cabin, the A350-900 XWB is expected to be a favourite with travellers.

The receiving of the A350-900 XWB is an important event in VNA’s plan to replace its entire current fleet with new-generation widebody aircrafts from now until 2020. It also makes VNA the first airline in Asia and the second in the world, after Qatar Airways, to operate the new A350 model. As planned, 14 A350 aircrafts will be added to VNA’s fleet, including 10 bought from Airbus and four leased from other companies.

According to its upgrade programme to service quality announced at the ceremony, by the end of 2015 VNA will review and upgrade its service chains, including seat booking, ticket sales and on-board services, among others, with a view to providing new utilities, more friendly services and excellent experiences for passengers on a completely new aircraft fleet.

A new brand and uniform identifying system was also introduced by VNA at the event and will be implemented as of July 3.

(Source: nhandan.org.vn)