Vietnam Airlines secures preliminary backing from US lender EXIM for $2.9 bln Boeing deal

Vietnam Airlines (HoSE: HVN) has received a preliminary commitment from the U.S. Export-Import Bank (EXIM) to guarantee financing of up to $2.9 billion for its planned purchase of 50 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.

The Vietnamese flag carrier said on Tuesday that the preliminary guarantee relates to an agreement signed with Boeing in Washington in February 2026 for the acquisition of the narrow-body jets.

The commitment does not constitute a final guarantee or loan disbursement, but it provides a framework for Vietnam Airlines to continue discussions with international lenders on financing the project.

EXIM, the U.S. government’s export credit agency, supports overseas purchases of American goods and services through loan guarantees, export credit insurance, and direct lending programs.

Vietnam Airlines said the preliminary backing would strengthen its access to international capital markets, help secure more competitive financing terms and diversify funding sources for strategic investment projects.

The airline expects the aircraft to be delivered between 2030 and 2032. The Boeing 737 MAX 8 is widely used on short- and medium-haul routes.

The airline plans to deploy the new aircraft on domestic services and regional Asian routes as passenger and cargo demand continues to grow.

The fleet investment forms part of the airline’s long-term development strategy. The carrier is targeting double-digit average annual growth over the next five years and aims to transport around 168 million passengers and more than 2.25 million tons of cargo during the period.

The expansion comes as air travel demand in Vietnam and across Asia continues to recover and grow, prompting carriers to secure additional capacity and modernize fleets.

Vietnam Airlines said it remains the first and only Vietnamese airline to receive EXIM export credit guarantees for aircraft acquisition financing.

Similar guarantee arrangements were previously used to support the airline’s purchases of Boeing 777 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

The latest commitment for the 737 MAX fleet underscores the long-standing financing cooperation between Vietnam Airlines and EXIM on U.S.-manufactured aircraft programs.

Beyond the 50-aircraft order, EXIM has indicated its willingness to explore financing solutions for other Vietnam Airlines projects involving U.S. goods and services. Potential areas include aircraft engines, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities and related aviation infrastructure, the airline said.

Vietnam Airlines added that it is continuing to work with domestic banks and international financial institutions to develop an appropriate financing structure for upcoming large-scale investments while enhancing financial risk management and optimizing capital efficiency.