SINGAPORE—Vietjet has announced a deal for 20 Airbus A330neos, which will support the carrier’s ambitious long-haul expansion plans.

The carrier signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) covering the A330neos at the Singapore Airshow on Feb. 22. The MOU is expected to be converted to a firm order within a few weeks, the company said, with deliveries from 2026.

The A330neos will be used for both replacement and growth. The carrier currently operates seven leased A330-300s, which began arriving in December 2021. The Neos will replace the -300s.

One of the advantages of adding widebodies to the carrier’s primarily narrowbody fleet is that they can boost capacity and optimize slots at Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City airports, Vietjet said.

Expanding the widebody fleet will also allow more long-haul destinations to be added. The A330s are currently used on flights to Australian east coast cities, as well as on trunk routes between Vietnam and India.

Vietjet hopes to eventually fly to European markets such as the UK and France, and to the U.S., CEO Dinh Viet Phuong said.

In addition to the A330s, Vietjet also operates 80 Airbus narrowbodies. It has 80 Airbus and 151 Boeing narrowbodies on order.