Vietnam PM urges Airbus to consider aircraft maintenance centres

Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung asked Airbus to consider setting up aircraft maintenance and repair centres near Long Thanh and Gia Binh international airports during talks in Hanoi on November 4. He also pledged government support for European companies seeking to expand investment and operations in Vietnam.

Meeting Airbus International president Wouter van Wersch, Hung urged the company and its Vietnamese partners to advance aviation and aerospace projects. His proposals covered technology transfer, research, workforce training, manufacturing, safety oversight and flight operations.

Hung said airport construction, special economic zones and logistics development were creating demand for aviation capacity and larger aircraft fleets. He asked Airbus to help Vietnamese airlines fulfil aircraft supply contracts as they add aircraft and routes, and to deepen space cooperation with government agencies.

Van Wersch said Vietnam was a top priority for Airbus. He reported that 230 of its aircraft were operating in the country and another 220 were expected to be delivered, while expressing interest in longer-term cooperation beyond aircraft supply.

The meeting marked Airbus's 40 years in Vietnam. The company reiterated its commitment to cooperation spanning commercial aviation, space, industrial manufacturing, technology transfer and workforce development, alongside digital transformation and artificial intelligence applications.

Hung also asked Airbus to encourage France to ratify the EU–Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement early, saying this would support European businesses expanding in Vietnam.