VietJetAir scouts B737 dedicated freighter capacity

VietJetAir (VJ, Hanoi) is scouting for B737 freighters for its dedicated freight unit, Vice President (Cargo), Do Xuan Quang, has told Cargo Facts.

Speaking in an interview earlier this month, Do said the Vietnamese budget carrier was in talks with various lessors over a pair of B737-400(F)s, and is exploring both ACMI and dry-lease options. It is looking to deploy the aircraft into service during the second half of the year. They will be deployed on the trunk domestic route between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City as well as to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, Hong Kong Int'l, and Tokyo Narita.

VietJetAir is still keen on A330-200(F) capacity albeit only at a later stage. According to Do, VietJetAir's entry into the dedicated freight market is following a phased approach. The first phase entailed the use of bellyhold space while the second entails the induction of narrowbody freighters coupled with the possible signing of interline deals with other airlines. The third phase will see the addition of widebody freighters, he added, without specifying timelines.

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