Prime Minister Le Minh Hung received Wouter van Wersch, President of Airbus International, on November 4, calling for stronger cooperation between Vietnam and the European aerospace giant as it marks 40 years of operations in the country.

According to the Government News Portal, Hung welcomed Van Wersch's return to Vietnam on the anniversary and expressed hope that Airbus would achieve further success while contributing more to Vietnam-European Union relations.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed Vietnam's commitment to strengthening ties with France, its first comprehensive strategic partner in the EU, with economic, trade and investment cooperation forming a central pillar of the relationship.

He noted that the September 10-11 visit to France by Party General Secretary and State President To Lam had helped deepen bilateral relations and deliver concrete outcomes, including projects involving Airbus.

Hung praised four decades of cooperation between Vietnam and Airbus, noting that the European manufacturer supplies a substantial proportion of aircraft operated by Vietnamese airlines and has also contributed to satellite observation projects.

Vietnam's population of more than 100 million, rising incomes and major infrastructure investments are creating substantial demand for aviation development, he said.

Large airport projects, including Long Thanh International Airport and Gia Binh International Airport, alongside plans for special economic zones and logistics expansion, are expected to drive demand for aircraft and aviation-related industries.

With Vietnam entering a new phase of development and offering significant opportunities for international partnerships, Hung called on Airbus to pursue major projects commensurate with the Vietnam-France comprehensive strategic partnership and the company's capabilities.

He urged Airbus and its Vietnamese partners to accelerate aerospace projects, expand technology development and transfer, strengthen research cooperation and train highly skilled personnel.

Other priorities include improving manufacturing capabilities, aviation safety oversight and the reliability of flight operations.

Airbus urged to explore maintenance facilities at Long Thanh and Gia Binh

A key proposal was for Airbus to study the feasibility of establishing aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities in Vietnam, particularly around Long Thanh International Airport and Gia Binh International Airport.

Hung also asked the company to support Vietnamese airlines in implementing existing aircraft supply agreements and contracts.

He called for closer coordination with Vietnamese authorities to advance cooperation in the space sector.

The Vietnamese government will continue improving the business environment and creating favorable conditions for European companies, including Airbus, to expand their operations and investments in accordance with Vietnamese law, he said.

Building on 40 years of cooperation, Hung expressed confidence that Vietnam and Airbus could enter a new phase of more substantive and effective collaboration benefiting both sides.

Airbus sees Vietnam as a top priority for long-term growth

Van Wersch praised Vietnam's rapid development and the positive trajectory of its relations with the EU and France.

He emphasized that Vietnam has played an important role in Airbus's success.

Currently, 230 Airbus aircraft are operating in Vietnam, with another 220 expected to enter service in the coming period.

Van Wersch said Vietnam's continued investment in aviation infrastructure, including the development of Long Thanh and Gia Binh airports and the wider aviation ecosystem, would create substantial new opportunities for Airbus.

He welcomed the Prime Minister's proposals and reaffirmed that Vietnam remains one of Airbus's top priorities.

The company sees significant opportunities to strengthen its relationship with Vietnam, extending beyond aircraft sales to building long-term partnerships and enhancing the capabilities of the country's aviation industry.

Marking its 40th anniversary in Vietnam, Airbus reiterated its commitment to continued engagement over the coming decades.

The company aims to expand strategic cooperation in commercial aviation, space technology, industrial manufacturing, technology transfer and the development of highly skilled human resources.

Tran Thuong