Russia proposes wet-leasing Vietnam Airlines jets with crew and maintenance

Russia has put a proposal to Vietnam under which aircraft from Vietnam Airlines would be leased to Russian airlines together with crew, maintenance and insurance, Vietnamese and Russian talks in Moscow heard. Transport minister Andrey Nikitin confirmed the approach, according to the account of the discussions.

The Vietnamese side is examining the wet-lease proposal. No deal exists so far, and the number of aircraft involved and a possible timetable both remain open.

The proposal comes against Western sanctions that have made it harder for Russian airlines to obtain aircraft and spare parts. Of 673 aircraft flown by the eleven largest Russian carriers, 130 are currently out of service, according to industry data. Outside the Aeroflot group, 93 of 322 aircraft are grounded.