Boeing has confirmed Vietnam Airlines' selection of the 737 Max 8 to grow its future single-aisle fleet. As earlier indicated in a White House fact sheet on US president Joe Biden's state visit to Hanoi, the airline has committed to ordering 50 of the aircraft, Boeing says. Airline chair Dang Ngoc Hoa suggests that "in line with Vietnam Airlines' 2025-2030 fleet strategy and a vision to 2035, aircraft investment is a crucial project that underpins positive recovery momentum and prosperous outlook for the airline". He adds: "The new narrowbody fleet will allow us to foster our overall development and extend our high-quality service on Vietnam Airlines' domestic and Asian routes, as well as modernise our fuel-efficient fleet." The Boeing 737 Max family is powered by CFM International Leap-1B engines. Boeing senior vice-president of commercial sales and marketing Brad McMullen notes the airframers' "historic partnership with Vietnam Airlines, dating back to 1995 when the airline first leased 767s".

A new report from the Airbus and Air New Zealand-led New Zealand Hydrogen Consortium predicts that green hydrogen fuelled aircraft deployed on domestic routes could reduce carbon emissions by 900,000 tonnes annually by 2050. The 'Launching green hydrogen powered aviation in Aotearoa New Zealand' report points to major investments that would be required in generation and transmission of renewable energy to generate green hydrogen, as well as new systems and processes to ensure safety in its production, distribution and use. The other key will be the production of hydrogen-powered aircraft, which Airbus is working on through its ZEROe initiative, and could start entering service during the mid-2030s. "The country’s large potential renewable electricity and water resources are key advantages while the size of aircraft used here and the length of routes flown match the capabilities of hydrogen-powered aircraft. This report lays out the ecosystem required to make that happen," says Airbus AEROe ecosystem vice president Karine Guenan. The report follows six months of studies examining the supply chain, regulatory settings and scoping the measures needed to establish a hydrogen aviation ecosystem in the country. Christchurch Airport, Fortescue, Hiringa Energy and Fabrum are the other partners in the consortium. Air New Zealand chief sustainability office Kiri Hannifin says the report provides information that could build a blueprint for hydrogen-powered aviation in New Zealand, and help the airline to meet its commitment to decarbonise. "Green hydrogen fuelled aircraft is one of the potential levers we have available to us. This report provides important proof points for both the aviation sector and decision-makers to work together to make that happen," she says.

Air France-KLM and Etihad Airways have signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance collaboration in passenger operations, loyalty programmes, talent development and maintenance. Under the deal, Etihad and Air France-KLM plan to expand codeshare and interline agreements which were initiated in 2012, the Middle Eastern carrier says. As a first step, more than 40 routes covering destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Australia have been made available for booking for travel from the winter 2023 season, it adds. The accord proposes the ability for customers of both airlines' loyalty programmes to earn and redeem miles with Air France, KLM and Etihad. Additionally, the airlines will explore terminal co-location, reciprocal lounge access and ground handling. "This MoU builds on our existing partnership by exploring deeper network enhancements as we offer improved connectivity between Abu Dhabi and Paris, and leveraging the extensive [Air France-KLM] network to Europe and beyond," states Etihad chief revenue officer Arik De. Etihad operates daily services to both Paris Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam Schiphol from Abu Dhabi. Air France will start operating daily flights between Charles de Gaulle and Abu Dhabi from 29 October. "I'm delighted to further develop our partnership with Etihad Airways," says Air France-KLM chief commercial officer Angus Clarke. "This 11-year collaboration is now expanding even further, as we aim to explore opportunities in maintenance and loyalty, in addition to enhancing our route network." He adds: "Etihad's large footprint spanning south and southeast Asia, as well as Australia, brings significant richness to this partnership."