Agreements span next-generation engine maintenance, MRO support and digital aviation as Vietjet expands its fleet and operations including Sri Lanka, and globally

Vietjet has expanded its strategic partnerships with Thales and CFM International across maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), aircraft component support, digital aviation, artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity.

These capabilities will support Vietjet’s expanding fleet and international network, including its direct service between Colombo and Ho Chi Minh City.

The agreements were announced in Paris during the official visit to France by Vietnam’s General Secretary and President To Lam, deepening cooperation between Vietjet and two major international aerospace technology partners while contributing to wider Vietnam and France economic and technology cooperation.

Expanding Cooperation with Thales Across Aviation MRO, AI and Cybersecurity

During the Vietnamese delegation’s visit to France on 10 September, Vietjet and Thales signed a key MRO contract. As part of this strategic Repair-By-The-Hour (RBTH) contract, Thales will provide comprehensive component maintenance services for Vietjet’s Airbus fleet, including A320/A321, A321neo/A321XLR, A330 and A330neo aircraft, the same Airbus family that includes the aircraft flying Vietjet’s Colombo route.

The partnership will enhance technical reliability and fleet availability while optimising costs and operational efficiency.

Vietjet and Thales also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) around digital aviation, avionics, cybersecurity and AI enhanced airline operations. The cooperation will explore secure cloud solutions, predictive analytics and decision support technologies for airline operations.

Nguyen Thanh Son, CEO of Vietjet, said: “Our partnership with Thales will not only enhance the reliability, safety and operational efficiency of Vietjet’s fleet, but also open up new areas of cooperation in digital technology, AI and cybersecurity. Together with leading French partners, we look forward to connecting technological expertise with a dynamic aviation market, contributing to stronger trade, investment and ties between Vietnam and France.”

The agreements mark a new milestone in the partnership between Vietjet and Thales and carry practical significance for economic, technology and industrial cooperation between Vietnam and France under the two countries’ Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Exploring Next Generation LEAP Engine MRO Capabilities with CFM International

Vietjet and CFM International have also signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to assess the feasibility of Vietjet developing its own solution for LEAP engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities in Vietnam.

Under the terms of the LOI, CFM would propose a consulting agreement to provide Vietjet with advisory services related to the assessment of engine MRO requirements, capabilities, infrastructure, workforce, and industry considerations associated with a potential local maintenance solution in Vietnam.

The initiative comes as Vietjet expands its large next generation fleet. Future LEAP engine MRO capability could support the airline’s long term operations while helping Vietnam develop high value aerospace services, train internationally qualified engineers, and strengthen its role in the global aviation supply chain.

CFM has powered Vietjet’s growth since the airline took delivery of its first CFM56 powered Airbus A320ceo aircraft in 2014. The airline currently operates 50 CFM56 powered A320ceo and A321ceo aircraft. The relationship is entering a new phase through Vietjet’s recent 200 aircraft Boeing 737-8 order that includes 737-8s and 737-8-200s powered by CFM LEAP-1B engines.

Building the Capabilities Behind Vietjet’s Global Growth

Together, the CFM International and Thales partnerships strengthen Vietjet’s capabilities across engine and component MRO, digital aviation, AI and cybersecurity, supporting its continued fleet and network expansion.

Sri Lanka remains a part of that growth. Since Vietjet launched direct flights between Colombo and Ho Chi Minh City on 18 August 2026, the route has become an important link between the two countries, one that stands to benefit from the same expanded Thales MRO support and CFM engineering partnership strengthening Vietjet’s fleet worldwide. As the airline expands across Asia-Pacific and launches its first European service this October, these investments reinforce its long term focus on technology, talent and operational capability, capability that Sri Lankan travellers now experience firsthand on every Colombo flight.

Vietjet and Thales exchange agreements covering MRO and digital aviation at the Élysée Palace in Paris in the presence of Vietnam’s General Secretary and President To Lam, French President Emmanuel Macron (Photo: Vietnam News Agency)

Vietjet and CFM International’s representatives exchange the LOI to explore MRO capabilities for latest-generation engines