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AFI KLM E&M and Vietnam Airlines sign GEnx support contract
The Hanoitimes – National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and AFI KLM E&M have signed a long term flight hour support contract covering the GEnx engines equipping the Vietnamese flag carrier’s fleet of Boeing 787s, which will grow to 19 Aircraft by 2021.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong and President of the National Assembly of France Francoi de Rugy within the framework of the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and France.
Under the US$500 million contract, AFM KLM E&M will handle maintenance of Vietnam Airlines’ 787 GEnx engines for 12 years. AFI KLM E&M also provides spare engine access for Vietnam Airlines to guarantee seamless continuity of its operations.
This major agreement between Vietnam Airlines and AFI KLM E&M marks a significant phase in ensuring the smooth operation of Boeing 787-9 and successful implementation of our strategy to expand our fleet and route network.
From our previous work together, especially under the terms of the 787 component support contract, and also during the first quick-turn shop visit operations carried out on the GEnx by AFI KLM E&M, we have full confidence in their ability to deliver a very high level of operational quality, according to Duong Tri Thanh, President and CEO of Vietnam Airlines.
“Vietnam Airlines currently owns 11 Boeing 787-9 aircraft which serve long haul domestic and international flights. We are committed to offering consistent 4-star quality service thus enhancing customer experience,” he added.
Vietnam Airlines is a long-standing customer of AFI KLM E&M in South East Asia and one that we have supported in the airline maintenance sphere for many years. We are honored that the carrier has placed its trust in us once more, and fortunate to be involved in their fleet renewal program by providing component – and now engine – support for its fleet of 787s, according to Anne Brachet, Executive Vice President AIR FRANCE KLM Engineering & Maintenance.
The cooperation reaffirms the long-standing relationship between Vietnam Airlines and Air France. Since 1994, Air France and Vietnam Airlines have been working together on the operational side, with partnerships in the field of aircraft maintenance, crew training and the transfer of technology of 10 new A320s which were among the most modern type at that time. Both airlines have successfully developed the partnership from Code-sharing 2010) into a Joint venture (2017) which is the largest of its kind in the world, allowing to develop route network, operational efficiency, service quality and optimize values for customers.
GEnx engine installed on the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner is one of the most advanced turbojet engines today, made from new generation materials through a design process that reduces weight and improves power. GEnx engines are also environmentally friendly which reduces fuel consumption by 15% and CO2 by 15% (compared to CF6 engines on Boeing 767s). In order to modernize the fleet, Vietnam Airlines has ordered a total of 19 Boeing 787s, which will be delivered until 2021. Vietnam Airline is now operating 11 Boeing 787-9s on routes between Hanoi – Ho Chi Minh City and 6 international destinations including London (England), Frankfurt (Germany), Narita (Japan), Beijing (China), Sydney/Melbourne (Australia) and upcoming Moscow (Russia).
Source: http://www.hanoitimes.vn/economy/trade-service/2018/03/81E0C3C3/afi-klm-e-m-and-vietnam-airlines-sign-genx-support-contract/