Planes out of action in upgrade

National flag carrier VietnamAirlines will suspend the operation of a number of its aircraft between June 2009 and January 2010, general director Pham Ngoc Minh has announced.

However, the suspension will not affect the carrier's services because it will receive a number of new aircraft in the near future, he told the Vietnam News Agency.

Minh said the carrier is looking to upgrade and expand its fleet, and that the suspension was part of the process.

He added this was an opportunity for VietnamAirlines to refurbish the interiors and conduct maintenance and upgrade of equipment of its existing fleet.

VietnamAirlines has ordered 39 new aircraft including Boeing 787-9s, Airbus A350-900s, and A321s. Between June 2009 and May 2010, the carrier will replace its ATR72-200s with 14 modern ATR72-500s.

The carrier's fleet is expected to comprise 104 units of aircraft by 2015 and 150 by 2020.

It is believed that in the second half of last year VietnamAirlines had 48 units of aircraft, including 10 Airbus A320-200s, 13 Airbus A321s, 3 Airbus A330s, and 10 Boeing 777-200 ERs.

VietNamNet, Viet Nam News

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