Vietnamese low-cost carrier Vietjet has expanded its partnerships with Thales and CFM International across maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), aircraft component support, digital aviation, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, EconomyNext reported.
The airline said the new capabilities will support its expanding fleet and international network, including the direct service between Colombo and Ho Chi Minh City.
The agreements
The Thales contracts were signed during Vietnamese President To Lam’s visit to France. Under a Repair-By-The-Hour (RBTH) contract, Thales will provide component maintenance for Vietjet’s Airbus fleet — the A320/A321, A321neo/A321XLR, A330 and A330neo — the same Airbus family that includes the aircraft flying the Colombo route.
A separate memorandum of understanding with Thales covers digital aviation, avionics, cybersecurity and AI-assisted airline operations, and will explore secure cloud solutions, predictive analytics and decision-support technology.
Vietjet and CFM International signed a letter of intent to assess whether the airline could develop its own LEAP engine maintenance capability in Vietnam. Under the letter, CFM would propose a consulting agreement advising Vietjet on engine MRO requirements, capabilities, infrastructure, workforce and industry considerations for a potential local maintenance operation.
CFM has powered Vietjet since the airline took its first CFM56-powered A320ceo in 2014. Vietjet currently operates 50 CFM56-powered A320ceo and A321ceo aircraft.
“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,” said Nguyen Thanh Son, chief executive of Vietjet.
He added that the airline looked forward to “connecting technological expertise with a dynamic aviation market, contributing to stronger trade, investment and ties between Vietnam and France.”
The Sri Lanka connection
Vietjet launched direct Colombo–Ho Chi Minh City flights on 18 August 2026, days after Vietnam Airlines opened its own Vietnam link. The airline says the route has become an important connection between the two countries and stands to benefit from the same Thales MRO support and CFM engineering partnership strengthening its fleet worldwide.
That framing comes from Vietjet rather than from any independent assessment. The agreements are global arrangements covering the carrier’s entire Airbus fleet and its Vietnamese engine-maintenance ambitions; the Colombo service is one route among many that would be affected, and neither the Thales contracts nor the CFM letter of intent contains any Sri Lanka-specific commitment.
Not reported
EconomyNext does not give the value or duration of the Thales RBTH contract, a timeline for the CFM feasibility assessment, or any indication of whether the Colombo route’s frequency or aircraft type will change. No Sri Lankan aviation authority is quoted.
