The United Kingdom’s aerospace sector has secured a significant lift after Vietnamese budget carrier VietJet confirmed a major purchase of 100 new Airbus aircraft, a deal expected to inject investment, protect skilled jobs, and strengthen the country’s aviation manufacturing base.
The announcement came shortly after a meeting in Downing Street between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Vietnam’s Communist Party General Secretary To Lam. VietJet confirmed it will acquire 100 Airbus A321neo aircraft, with the planes’ wings to be designed in Bristol and manufactured in north Wales, keeping large portions of the work within the UK. In addition to aircraft production, the agreement includes further investment in Rolls-Royce’s aerospace facility in Derby, where engines for part of VietJet’s fleet will be built.
The government welcomed the deal, saying it would support thousands of jobs and deliver a substantial economic boost as part of its broader ‘Plan for Change’. Airbus currently employs around 12,000 people in the UK, and ministers said the latest order would help safeguard highly skilled workers across both its British sites. Describing the deal as a strategic win for the UK, officials said the long-term benefits would extend into advanced manufacturing, innovation and supply chain stability.
Airbus executive Sue Partridge said the contract holds major significance not only for the company but also for Britain’s aerospace ambitions. She noted that growing orders for the A321neo family are key to driving advancements in greener aviation. According to her, higher production capacity helps both decarbonise air travel and generate revenue for future technological developments, ensuring UK sites remain at the forefront of aviation research and design.
Alongside the aircraft order, VietJet struck a separate agreement with Rolls-Royce for 92 Trent 7000 engines. These will be produced in the UK for use in 40 A330neo aircraft, further expanding the workload and investment directed toward British aerospace facilities. The government said the combined announcements reflect global confidence in the UK’s aviation sector at a time when countries are racing to modernise airlines and pursue cleaner commercial fleets.
To reinforce the sector’s growth, ministers highlighted continuing public investment in research and innovation. By April 2026, the government plans to channel £20.4bn into research and development across the country, with aviation listed among the key beneficiaries.
Transport Secretary and Swindon South MP Heidi Alexander said the move demonstrated how international agreements can deliver tangible economic rewards for communities. She said efforts were ongoing to ensure regions such as Bristol and the wider south west secure high-quality, future-proof jobs. According to her, the ultimate goal is to put the economy “firing on all cylinders,” ensuring people feel the benefits directly through rising incomes and greater financial security.
The government says the deal marks a vote of confidence in British engineering and reinforces the country’s position in the global aerospace market, signalling further international investment could follow.
