(VOVworld) – A ceremony was held at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi on Thursday to receive Airbus new generation aircraft A350-900 and declare programs to upgrade service quality to reach international 4-star standard and create a new brand identity.

A close-up of the A350 XWB leased by Vietnam Airlines (Photo: Airbus)

The event is of great significance to the national flag carrier as it has become the second airline in the world and the first in the Southeast Asian region to introduce the new A350 model into commercial service.

Addressing the ceremony, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung congratulated Vietnam Airlines to add the first of 14 A350-900s to its fleet. Besides, the airliner is preparing for receiving the first aircraft of 19 planes of Boeing latest generation.

The lotus livery of Vietnam Airlines on the A350 XWB (Photo: Airbus)

PM Nguyen Tan Dung expressed his wish that VNA will continue to do the best and overcome any difficulties to become a regional leading airliner.

On this occasion, Vietnam Airlines and Airbus jetliner signed a cooperative agreement to provide technical services for A350 aircraft under which Airbus will ensure a package supply of accessories for Vietnam Airlines’ A350 fleet for 12 years.