Hanoi, 7 April - Vietnam’s budget airline VietJet is poised to make aviation history in the Southeast Asian nation by becoming the first Vietnamese carrier to operate Chinese-made aircraft on its domestic routes, with services set to commence in mid-April 2025. This development marks a significant milestone not only for VietJet but also for China’s Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), as it seeks to expand its footprint beyond its home market and compete with established Western giants like Boeing and Airbus. The aircraft in question, the COMAC ARJ21-700, also known commercially as the C909, is a regional jet designed to carry up to 90 passengers, making it well-suited for shorter domestic routes within Vietnam. VietJet’s decision to integrate these planes into its fleet reflects both strategic foresight and an evolving dynamic in the global aviation industry.
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The rollout of the Chinese-made aircraft is scheduled to begin on April 15, 2025, with VietJet planning to operate eight daily flights connecting major hubs to Con Dao Island, a popular tourist destination off Vietnam’s southern coast. Specifically, the airline will launch four flights from Hanoi, the capital city, to Con Dao, and another four from Ho Chi Minh City, the country’s bustling economic center, to the same destination. These routes are critical, particularly following the suspension of services to Con Dao by Bamboo Airways, which had previously dominated air travel to the island. With Bamboo’s exit, VietJet is stepping in to fill the gap, ensuring that Con Dao remains accessible by air rather than relying solely on ferry services. To facilitate this expansion, VietJet has secured two ARJ21-700 aircraft through a leasing agreement with Chengdu Airlines, a Chinese carrier. The first aircraft, registered as B-652G, is approximately 2.8 years old, while the second, B-656E, is slightly newer at 1.7 years old. Both are configured with an all-economy layout accommodating 90 seats, aligning with VietJet’s low-cost operational model.
VietJet’s move to adopt the ARJ21-700 comes amid a broader push by COMAC to gain traction in international markets, particularly in Southeast Asia, one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation regions. The ARJ21, China’s first jet engine-powered plane to reach commercial production, entered service in 2016 and has since been delivered to around 160 customers, primarily within China. Its deployment in Vietnam represents a strategic victory for COMAC, offering the manufacturer a foothold in a competitive market and a chance to showcase its aircraft’s reliability and efficiency outside its domestic sphere. For VietJet, the decision complements its existing fleet, which currently comprises over 100 aircraft, including Airbus A320s, A321s, A321neos, and A330-300s. The addition of the ARJ21 enhances the airline’s flexibility, particularly for routes like those to Con Dao, where smaller airports cannot accommodate larger jets.
This initiative has been in the works for months, with VietJet and COMAC engaging in technical discussions and regulatory negotiations to ensure compliance with Vietnam’s aviation standards. The Vietnamese government has expressed support for this collaboration, viewing it as a means to diversify the country’s aircraft fleet and strengthen economic ties with China, a key trading partner. Earlier in 2025, Vietnam’s aviation regulator proposed recognizing China’s aircraft design certifications as equivalent to U.S. standards, a move that would streamline the approval process for COMAC jets. While the ARJ21’s arrival was initially delayed from January due to regulatory hurdles, the mid-April launch signals that these challenges have been resolved, paving the way for a new chapter in Vietnam’s aviation landscape. Beyond the operational implications, VietJet’s adoption of the ARJ21 underscores broader trends in the global aviation industry. As a low-cost carrier, VietJet has thrived by capitalizing on Vietnam’s booming tourism and economic growth, transporting over 25 million passengers in 2023 alone—a figure that surpassed pre-pandemic levels. The airline’s willingness to embrace Chinese-made aircraft highlights its pragmatic approach to fleet expansion, balancing cost considerations with the need to meet rising demand. For COMAC, this partnership serves as a test case, potentially opening doors to other Southeast Asian markets and challenging the dominance of Western manufacturers. As the ARJ21 takes to the skies over Vietnam, it will be closely watched by industry observers, signaling whether this collaboration can reshape regional aviation dynamics in the years to come.