In a bold move reinforcing growing economic ties between Vietnam and the United States, Vietjet Air has signed a US$300 million financing agreement with AV AirFinance. The deal was formalized during a high-profile ceremony attended by Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc and other senior officials, underscoring the strategic importance of the partnership within the broader framework of U.S.–Vietnam trade cooperation.
The agreement is a key piece of Vietjet’s ambitious aircraft financing strategy, which now surpasses US$4 billion in total commitments from major U.S. financial institutions. These funds will fuel the airline’s fleet expansion, supporting the planned delivery of nearly 300 new aircraft from 2025 to 2027 as Vietjet positions itself for accelerated growth across Asia-Pacific and beyond.
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“We are delighted to be a long-term strategic partner of Vietjet,” said Stephen Murphy, CEO of AV AirFinance. “This commitment reflects our confidence in Vietjet’s vision and our readiness to support its resurgent growth in the region through new generation aircraft.”
Vietjet, currently operating a fleet of over 115 fuel-efficient aircraft, has more than 400 additional planes on order. The AV AirFinance deal will help the airline boost capacity and connectivity on critical domestic and international routes — including expanding links between Australia and Vietnam via Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, and Brisbane.
The deal also aligns with Vietjet’s larger global ambitions. In 2025, the airline will begin receiving Boeing 737 MAX aircraft from its landmark 200-jet order, valued at over US$24 billion — a contract originally announced in Vietnam with U.S. President Donald Trump in attendance.
Beyond aircraft acquisition, Vietjet has cultivated deep-rooted partnerships with U.S. corporate giants such as GE, Pratt & Whitney, and Honeywell. These deals, which include engine and service contracts worth over US$10 billion, contribute to a total portfolio of U.S.-linked agreements nearing US$50 billion. The airline is also actively negotiating an additional US$14 billion in contracts and exploring technological collaborations with Microsoft, Apple, Google, and SpaceX.
Chairwoman Dr. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao praised the deal’s significance: “I am steadfast in my commitment to working tirelessly and fostering global partnerships that help bridge cultures, economies, and technologies between Vietnam, the United States, and the wider world.”
Dr Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao and U.S. President Donald Trump in 2017
The announcement marks a milestone not just for Vietjet, but for the strengthening bilateral trade relationship between the U.S. and Vietnam — with aviation emerging as a key sector of cooperation.
AV AirFinance, backed by investment firm KKR, specializes in commercial aircraft financing for airlines, lessors, cargo operators, and investors, and brings deep industry expertise to the partnership.
