Budget carrier, Thai Vietjet Air, has awarded the tender of its cargo business to ECS Group. The partnership is based on a Master GSSA agreement signed with ECS Group member, Aviation Solutions Services (AVS GSA). Thanks to the deal, the Bangkok-based airline can now look forward to further increasing its cargo revenue and export volumes across Thailand and various Asian countries, AVS announces, self-assured. The GSA runs offices in Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia.
Currently, Thai Vietjet Air operates a uniform Airbus fleet of passenger aircraft consisting of 18 A320-200 and A321-200 jetliners. Regarding freight activities, the carrier focusses primarily on transporting general cargo shipments and perishables in the bellies of its fleet. Established in 2014, the Thai airline is a subsidiary of Vietnamese parent, Vietjet Air. Vietjet Air was incepted in 2007, with the aim of establishing a network across Southeast Asia by setting up daughter companies in neighboring countries, thus enabling interconnectivity for both travelers and freight transportation.
Improving cargo sales performance
“Thai Vietjet Air has carved a solid cargo market share for itself on the Thai domestic market, and offers an impressive international network across Asia – and all that without a freighter in its fleet,” applauds Monchai Jirakiertivadhana, AVS GSA CEO Indochina region. Therefore, AVS GSA has an excellent base on which to further develop the airline’s freight activities and improve its cargo sales performance, the manager added. This strategic partnership allows Thai Vietjet Air to leverage ECS Group’s in-house digital tools and expert knowledge to promote its cargo business effectively, Mr. Jirakiertivadhana illustrates.
Impressive cargo market dynamic
Seen from a holistic perspective, Adrien Thominet, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, ECS Group expects great opportunities for his company in Southeast Asia since the cargo business is developing very rapidly. “We see lot of market dynamics, intra-Asia and connectivity with Europe, and Americas. This is clearly a very dynamic region and hence, as leader organization, we need to be strongly involved in this region.”
The neos are coming
An Airbus release aired on 22FEB24, shows how fast aviation is developing in the region. According to the announcement, Vietjet Air, has signed a letter of intent to acquire 20 A330-900 widebody aircraft. Once delivered, the jetliners will be operated on the carrier’s growing long-range network, but also on regional routes demanding greater capacity. The aircraft will replace the carrier’s current fleet of leased A330-300s, as well as provide for network expansion.
Longer range, less emissions
Vietjet Chief Executive Officer, Dinh Viet Phuong said, “The new A330neo aircraft is a strategic addition to comprehensively modernize Vietjet’s fleet, enhancing operational capabilities to support our global flight network expansion plan. Its fuel-efficient new-generation design aligns with our sustainable development strategy and ESG goals, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050. With the introduction of the A330neo, passengers can look forward to longer-range, well-equipped flights with excellent services at more competitive fares.”
So can cargo customers. Whether they will be offered competitive fares when booking capacity for their shipments in the belly-holds of the A330 neos remains to be seen.
Via the Ho Chi Minh City hub, which is jointly used by Vietjet and its Thai subsidiary, ECS will also be able to offer its cargo customers additional long-haul destinations as soon as the A330-900s are operational.