Vietnam’s aviation sector is on the cusp of a significant shift as the country’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAV) has put forward a proposal to recognize China’s aircraft design certifications as equivalent to those of the United States, according to documents recently reviewed by Reuters. This move could pave the way for jets manufactured by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), a state-owned Chinese aerospace company, to operate in Vietnam, marking a notable expansion of COMAC’s presence in Southeast Asia. The proposal comes as part of a broader effort to diversify the options available to Vietnamese airlines, which have long depended on aircraft from Western giants Boeing and Airbus. If approved, this regulatory change would allow COMAC’s C909 regional jets and potentially its larger C919 narrow-body aircraft to enter Vietnam’s fast-growing aviation market, a development that could challenge the dominance of established Western planemakers.
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The documents indicate that the CAAV’s proposal seeks to amend existing regulations to align China’s certifications with standards set by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a benchmark widely accepted in the global aviation industry. This is a significant step, as COMAC aircraft, including the C909 (previously known as the ARJ21) and the C919, lack certification from the FAA or the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Currently, these planes are certified primarily by China’s Civil Aviation Administration (CAAC) and, in the case of the C909, by Indonesia’s aviation authority as well. The absence of Western certification has historically limited COMAC’s ability to penetrate international markets, making Vietnam’s potential acceptance a crucial milestone in the company’s global ambitions. The proposed amendment aims to address this by updating Vietnam’s Civil Aviation Safety Code and revising decrees related to conditional business sectors, thereby facilitating the import and operation of COMAC aircraft.
This regulatory shift has been in the works for some time, driven in part by Vietnam’s leading private airline, VietJet. Earlier this year, VietJet explored a short-term lease of two C909 regional jets from Chengdu Airlines, a Chinese carrier, for use on domestic routes. The planes, which arrived in Vietnam in late January adorned with VietJet logos and markings commemorating 75 years of Vietnam-China relations, were intended to begin operations in mid-January. However, delays in securing regulatory approval have postponed their deployment. One of the aircraft even conducted a demonstration flight on January 23, traveling from Chengdu to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Con Dao before returning, showcasing its potential for Vietnam’s domestic network. The CAAV’s cautious approach reflects concerns about approving aircraft not yet validated by Western regulators, though the agency has conducted a detailed assessment of the C909 to support its proposal.
COMAC’s push into Vietnam aligns with its broader strategy to compete with Airbus and Boeing on the international stage. The C909, a regional jet with a capacity of up to 90 passengers, has been in service since 2016, with approximately 160 units delivered, mostly to Chinese operators. Its larger counterpart, the C919, designed to rival the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320, entered commercial service with China Eastern Airlines in 2023 and has garnered over 1,000 orders, predominantly from Chinese carriers. Vietnam’s aviation market, one of the fastest-growing in the world, presents an attractive opportunity for COMAC to establish a foothold outside China. The country’s airlines have traditionally relied on Boeing and Airbus models, with VietJet ordering 200 Boeing 737 MAX jets and Vietnam Airlines signing a provisional deal for 50 in 2023 during a visit by then-U.S. President Joe Biden. However, the proposed acceptance of COMAC jets could diversify this fleet mix and reduce Vietnam’s dependence on Western suppliers. The backdrop to this development includes Vietnam’s delicate balancing act in its trade relations. The country faces pressure from the United States to address its significant trade surplus, exacerbated by President Donald Trump’s threats of reciprocal tariffs. Purchases of U.S.-made Boeing jets have been cited as a means to mitigate this imbalance, yet Vietnam also maintains deep economic ties with China. COMAC has capitalized on this relationship, engaging Vietnam’s top leaders and offering attractive financial terms to VietJet, described by sources as “too good to resist.” These efforts were bolstered by high-level diplomacy, including a visit from COMAC Board Director Tan Wangeng to Hanoi and a call between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Vietnamese leader To Lam in January, urging enhanced connectivity between the two nations. As Vietnam weighs this proposal, set to take effect as early as April 30 if approved, the decision could signal a new era for COMAC’s global reach and reshape the competitive landscape of Southeast Asia’s aviation industry.