Vietnam’s skies are about to witness a new chapter in aviation history. VietJet, the country’s leading budget airline, is gearing up to become the first Vietnamese carrier to operate China-made passenger jets on domestic routes.
This bold move marks a significant shift in regional aviation dynamics and could open the door for deeper collaboration between China and Vietnam’s aviation industries.
Starting mid-April, VietJet will begin flying the COMAC ARJ21-700 aircraft, also known as the C909, on domestic routes. The first scheduled service using this aircraft is set for April 15, operating four flights between Hanoi and Con Dao Island, a popular destination in southern Vietnam.
One of the main challenges in bringing the C909 into service is regulatory approval. Currently, the aircraft is certified only by Chinese and Indonesian aviation authorities, which has raised red flags about safety and compliance.
As a result, VietJet’s planned lease of two C909 jets was delayed, with Vietnam’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAV) proceeding cautiously before granting operational approval.
To address these concerns, the CAAV sent a delegation to Shanghai from January 15–24, where officials inspected comac easa production lines, and reviewed key aspects of the aircraft—from design integrity and manufacturing quality to maintenance protocols and certification standards. The visit was conducted in coordination with the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).
According to the CAAV’s preliminary report, comac C909 has met mass production standards, holding both Type Certification (TC) and Production Certification from China’s regulator—boosting confidence in the aircraft’s technical credibility.
The C909 is gaining global momentum. As of January 7, 2025, 160 aircraft have been delivered to 12 airlines, including Chinese aviation giants like China Southern Airlines, Air China, and China Eastern Airlines.
In Vietnam, the government’s openness to evaluating and potentially embracing Chinese aircraft like the C909 may signal stronger aviation ties between the two countries. comac airplanes deputy general manager Wei Yingbiao has already described Vietnam as a “highly potential market” and expressed eagerness to deepen cooperation with VietJet, offering not just aircraft, but also financial support, pilot training, and aerospace tech exchange.
Even neighboring Lao Airlines has joined the trend—having leased a C909 from COMAC and scheduling its first flight for April 12, 2025.
VietJet’s upcoming C909 flights represent not just a new route, but a strategic move in Asia’s evolving aviation landscape—where affordability, cooperation, and technological capability are driving new airline partnerships.