Vietjet has expanded its strategic partnerships with leading aerospace technology companies Thales and CFM International, strengthening its capabilities in maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), aircraft component support, digital aviation, artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity.

The expanded partnerships are aimed at supporting Vietjet’s growing fleet and expanding international network, including its direct operations between Colombo and Ho Chi Minh City. The agreements were announced in Paris during the official visit of Vietnam’s General Secretary and President To Lam to France.

Expanded Cooperation with Thales

As part of the expanded cooperation, Vietjet and Thales signed a strategic Repair-By-The-Hour (RBTH) MRO contract covering component maintenance services for Vietjet’s Airbus fleet.

The agreement covers aircraft including the A320/A321, A321neo/A321XLR, A330 and A330neo families. The partnership is expected to strengthen technical reliability and fleet availability while supporting greater operational efficiency and cost optimisation.

The two companies also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) covering digital aviation, avionics, cybersecurity and AI-enabled airline operations.

Under the MoU, Vietjet and Thales will explore technologies including secure cloud solutions, predictive analytics and decision-support systems designed to enhance airline operations.

Nguyen Thanh Son, CEO of Vietjet, said the partnership would strengthen the airline’s reliability, safety and operational efficiency while creating opportunities for further cooperation in digital technology, AI and cybersecurity.

The agreements also contribute to broader economic, technological and industrial cooperation between Vietnam and France.

Exploring LEAP Engine MRO Capabilities

Vietjet has also entered into a Letter of Intent (LOI) with CFM International to assess the feasibility of developing its own MRO capabilities for next-generation LEAP engines in Vietnam.

Under the proposed arrangement, CFM International would provide consulting support to assess the requirements for a potential local engine maintenance operation, including infrastructure, workforce capabilities, technical requirements and wider industry considerations.

The initiative comes as Vietjet continues to expand its next-generation aircraft fleet. Developing local LEAP engine MRO capabilities could support the airline’s long-term operational requirements while contributing to the development of high-value aerospace services and specialised engineering skills in Vietnam.

CFM International has been a long-standing partner of Vietjet. The airline currently operates 50 CFM56-powered A320ceo and A321ceo aircraft, while its relationship with CFM is expected to expand through its recent order for 200 Boeing 737-8 aircraft, powered by CFM LEAP-1B engines.

Supporting Vietjet’s International Expansion

The partnerships with Thales and CFM International are expected to strengthen Vietjet’s capabilities across aircraft and engine MRO, digital aviation, AI and cybersecurity as the airline continues expanding its fleet and international network.

Sri Lanka is also part of Vietjet’s expanding international operations. The airline launched direct flights between Colombo and Ho Chi Minh City on August 18, 2026, establishing a new air link between Sri Lanka and Vietnam. The enhanced MRO and engineering capabilities are expected to support the reliability and operational performance of the aircraft serving Vietjet’s growing network.

As Vietjet expands across the Asia-Pacific region and prepares to launch its first European service in October, its latest technology and MRO investments highlight the airline’s focus on strengthening operational capabilities, developing technical talent and supporting long-term international growth.