SHANGHAI, April 20 - The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) achieved a major step by starting its airline operations in Vietnam. This is crucial for COMAC as they aim to expand globally. Two COMAC aircraft, known as C909, are flying in Vietnam. These planes are leased by China's Chengdu Airlines to VietJet, a popular budget airline in Vietnam. This is significant because COMAC is challenging the dominance of famous Western airplane makers, Airbus and Boeing. The introduction of these flights marks China's strategy to enter the Southeast Asian market and reduce the region’s reliance on Western aircraft.
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The C909 aircraft can carry up to 90 passengers and serve routes from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao Island, a popular tourist destination. This move comes after Vietnam changed its regulations to accept China’s aircraft design standards, like those from the U.S. The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam proposed this change, and it was finalized in early April 2025. This decision makes it easier for COMAC’s planes to fly in Vietnam, overcoming previous delays. Vietnam’s decision shows its strategy to balance its market dependencies and maintain trade relations with both China and the U.S.
COMAC’s entry into Vietnam is part of a plan to establish a strong presence in Southeast Asia, where there is a fast-growing demand for air travel. COMAC has engaged with Vietnamese authorities and airlines by offering favorable leasing terms and training for crews to help integrate their aircraft. The C909 started commercial flights in China in 2016 and has been delivered to about 160 customers, mostly in China and some in Laos. Vietnam is the second foreign market to use these jets. This move aligns with COMAC’s plans to increase production and achieve international certifications, especially for its larger C919 jet, aimed at competing with Airbus and Boeing. The launch of COMAC’s flights in Vietnam occurs amidst trade tensions between China and the U.S. China imposed higher tariffs on U.S. goods, including Boeing planes, in response to U.S. tariffs. This situation has led some Asian airlines to consider COMAC’s planes, which are often cheaper. However, challenges remain as COMAC’s aircraft lack certification from major regulators like the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), limiting their global use. Despite these challenges, Vietnam’s acceptance of the C909 shows a growing trust in Chinese aerospace technology in the region.
For Vietnam, using COMAC aircraft diversifies its aviation options and strengthens economic relations with China, which is also investing in infrastructure projects like an $8.3 billion railway from Haiphong to China. VietJet’s short-term lease of the C909 jets serves as a test of their reliability and suitability for the market. Some industry analysts think the deal may not need a full certification review, which could speed up future agreements. COMAC is increasing production, aiming for 50 C919 units in 2025 and 150 annually by 2028, to capitalize on Southeast Asia’s growing aviation market, with Vietnam being a key step. COMAC’s achievement in Vietnam not only shows China’s advancements in aerospace but also highlights the shifting dynamics in the global aviation industry, where new players are challenging long-established giants. As COMAC pursues more certifications and expands its market presence, its operations in Vietnam might pave the way for wider adoption across Asia and beyond, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape.
