FPT, Vietnam Airlines and Airbus’ digital-services company Skywise have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore artificial-intelligence applications aimed at improving airline operations in Vietnam.
The initiative will initially target fleet reliability, technical operations and disruption management. By combining Skywise insights with maintenance planning, parts readiness and flight schedules, the partners intend to identify AI use cases that could improve aircraft availability and enable faster decisions when operations are disrupted.
The companies say such applications could help airlines assess recovery options and limit the impact of disruption on flights and passengers.
A joint aviation AI lab
A central element of the partnership is the planned creation of a joint Aviation AI Lab. It will bring together specialists in engineering, maintenance, IT and data to define priority use cases and support further development of the programme.
The next stage will begin with a workshop at Vietnam Airlines’ premises, where the parties will align on business objectives, data requirements and success measures. The partners expect the exercise to identify up to four potential use cases for assessment and prioritisation.
For Vietnam Airlines, the agreement is part of a broader digital-transformation agenda. Executive vice president Nguyen Chien Thang said the carrier sees digital transformation and AI as key drivers of long-term development, adding that the collaboration aims to enhance fleet reliability, accelerate decision-making and improve operational efficiency.
Vietnam’s AI aviation ambitions
The partnership underscores Vietnam’s effort to position itself as a regional centre for aviation technology, combining an established national carrier with FPT’s engineering scale and Airbus’ global digital-aviation platform.
FPT has worked with Vietnam Airlines since the 1990s, supporting core IT systems, telecommunications infrastructure and customer-facing digital services.
Globally, the company says it applies AI and advanced technologies for more than 100 aviation organisations worldwide, including airlines, airports, cargo operators and aircraft manufacturers.
“AI is opening new possibilities for how aviation operates, innovates and grows,” said Chu Thi Thanh Ha, chairwoman of FPT Software. “Through our collaboration with Airbus and Vietnam Airlines, FPT aims to bring our AI and engineering capabilities closer to real aviation challenges, combining global industry expertise with Vietnam’s technology talent.”
Marc Lemeilleur, chief executive of Skywise, said the value of the platform grows through collaboration with airlines and technology partners. He said Vietnam Airlines would contribute operational insight, while FPT would provide the AI-engineering capability needed to develop solutions at scale.
The agreement marks a practical shift in Southeast Asian aviation: from broad digital-transformation pledges towards targeted AI applications in maintenance, fleet availability and disruption recovery. Its success will depend on converting the initial workshop and proposed use cases into deployable systems that measurably improve operational performance.
