The Associated Press/HANOI, Vietnam
Vietnam Airlines to buy Boeing Dreamliners
JUN. 3 6:03 P.M. ET
Vietnam Airlines will buy four Boeing 787 Dreamliners as part of a plan to expand its fleet to meet increasing travel demands, an airline spokesman said Friday.
Prime Minister Phan Van Khai has instructed the state-owned airline to complete the contract, which is expected to be signed during his visit to the United States on June 19-25, said spokesman Nguyen Chan.
Chicago-based Boeing Co. has said the wide-body jetliners will be delivered to the communist country in 2010. The deal is valued at about $500 million at list prices, although airlines usually negotiate discounts.
Khai will be the first Vietnamese prime minister to travel to Washington. Vietnam and the U.S. are former foes that normalized diplomatic relations 10 years ago.
Associate Press Copyright 2005, by The Associated Press. All rights reserved.