Vietnam Airlines, Korean Air Deepen Partnership On MRO, Cargo

Vietnam Airlines has strengthened its partnership with Korean Air, paving the way for expanded cooperation in maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) and cargo operations.

The move is part of ongoing efforts to boost two-way tourism between the two countries.

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by Vietnam Airlines, its engineering subsidiary Vietnam Airlines Engineering Company (VAECO), and Korean Air agrees to explore the establishment of an MRO facility at the new Long Thanh International Airport.

The proposed center would provide services including airframe maintenance, component repair, and cabin modifications, while also enabling technology transfer and technical training for local personnel.

LCC VietJet Air has already secured two contracts to develop MRO facilities at Long Thanh to serve the Ho Chi Minh City market.

Separately, the two SkyTeam members signed another MOU to expand cargo cooperation, covering joint sales, coordinated operations, and the creation of a “flexible logistics corridor” linking Vietnam, South Korea, and other key markets. Vietnam Airlines has also been seeking to lease an Airbus A321P2F for a potential dedicated freighter operation.

The agreements were signed at the Vietnam–Korea Economic Forum in Seoul.

According to CAPA data, South Korea is Vietnam’s largest single passenger market, accounting for 20.8% of weekly seat capacity. It also represents the largest share of cargo capacity and tonnage to and from the Southeast Asian country.