Vietjet and Carlyle sign a MoU for aircraft funding worth US$550 million

(Vietjet, Hanoi, September 11, 2023) - Vietjet and the aviation division of global investment firm Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) today signed a memorandum of understanding to finance US$550 million of aircraft during the official visit of the U.S. President Joe Biden to Vietnam.

Carlyle Aviation Partners, the firm’s global aircraft finance and leasing business, have entered into negotiations under a non-binding memorandum of understanding to finance 737 Max aircraft from the order of 200 aircraft between Vietjet and Boeing. This is a significant aircraft order and considered one of the largest commercial contracts and contributes greatly to the trade balance between Vietnam and the United States to date.

“Carlyle Aviation Partners has been a long-term strategic partner of Vietjet,” said Robert Korn -Co-Founder & President of Carlyle Aviation Partners. “We are pleased to see Vietjet’s significant growth over the last decade. The airline is known for offering passengers reasonable fares and convenient travel options; thus contributing positively to aviation and tourism development in the country.”

During the official visit of U.S. President Joe Biden to Vietnam, Vietjet and Boeing have agreed on the delivery timeline of the first batch of Vietjet’s 200 B737 Max order. This order, which is worth over US$25 billion, will be implemented in five years with the first delivery of 12 aircraft scheduled for 2024.

Accordingly, the first batch of 737 Max will be delivered to Thai Vietjet, the affiliate company founded by Vietjet. Thai Vietjet is currently one of the leading airlines in Thailand, featuring Vietjet’s brand and images and favored by travelers in the region.