Vietjet and Thales have deepened their long-standing partnership with a series of agreements covering maintenance, digital aviation, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. The deals were signed during Vietnamese General Secretary and President To Lam's official visit to France, with a ceremony at the Élysée Palace attended by French President Emmanuel Macron.
The centerpiece is a strategic Repair-By-The-Hour (RBTH) contract under which Thales will provide comprehensive component maintenance for Vietjet's Airbus fleet, including A320/A321, A321neo/A321XLR, A330, and A330neo aircraft. The agreement is designed to boost technical reliability and fleet availability while optimizing costs and operational efficiency.
In addition, the two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore digital aviation, avionics, and AI-enhanced airline operations. The collaboration will focus on secure cloud solutions, predictive analytics, and decision-support technologies.
Strengthening Vietnam–France aviation ties
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.”
Pascale Sourisse, CEO of Thales International, added: “With Thales’ 30-year presence in Vietnam, we are honoured by Vietjet’s continued trust. We look forward to supporting the airline in its next phase of growth through innovation, advanced technology, and operational excellence.”
The agreements mark a new milestone in the Vietjet–Thales partnership, reinforcing economic, technology, and industrial links between Vietnam and France. Vietjet, which has been expanding its international network, continues to invest in technology and infrastructure to connect Vietnam with the Asia-Pacific region and Europe.
This is not the first time Vietjet has turned to Thales for advanced technology. The airline previously equipped its fleet with Thales avionics and in-flight entertainment systems. The new RBTH contract extends that relationship into the MRO sphere, a move that aligns with Vietjet's broader strategy of enhancing operational reliability as it grows its fleet.
Vietjet's expansion has been notable in recent months. The carrier recently added five routes to the Philippines, Thailand, and Japan, and its parent company Sovico Group signed 23 deals at a New York investment conference. The airline has also been investing in passenger experience, including plans to equip 120 aircraft with Starlink Wi-Fi.
The MRO agreement with Thales complements Vietjet's earlier move to establish a LEAP engine MRO hub in Vietnam with CFM International. That initiative, announced last year, is part of Vietjet's effort to build local maintenance capabilities and reduce turnaround times.
For Thales, the deal reinforces its position in the Southeast Asian aviation market, where it has been active for decades. The company's avionics, in-flight entertainment, and connectivity solutions are used by many regional carriers, and its MRO services are increasingly in demand as fleets expand.
The partnership also underscores the growing importance of digital technology in airline operations. AI-powered predictive maintenance, for example, can help airlines anticipate component failures before they occur, reducing delays and improving dispatch reliability. Thales's expertise in secure cloud and cybersecurity is particularly relevant as airlines become more data-driven.
Vietjet's focus on technology and operational efficiency is part of a broader trend among low-cost carriers in Asia, which are investing in modern fleets and digital tools to compete with legacy carriers. The airline's recent financial performance reflects this strategy: its H1 2026 results showed a 44% revenue surge on international expansion.
As Vietjet continues to grow its network and fleet, partnerships like the one with Thales will be critical to maintaining high standards of safety and reliability. The agreements signed in Paris are a clear signal that both companies are committed to long-term collaboration in the fast-evolving aviation landscape.
