Vietjet Expands Ties with China

Vietjet Expands Ties with China Through COMAC C909 Leasing Deal

AeroMorning – John Smith – April 20, 2026

Vietnamese low-cost carrier VietJet Air has signed a finance lease agreement with SPDB Financial Leasing for up to ten COMAC C909 regional jets, marking a renewed step in its cooperation with Chinese aerospace stakeholders.

According to an official statement published by Vietjet, the agreement “lays the foundation” for the gradual introduction of COMAC aircraft into its operations, particularly on routes linking Vietnam and China.

The deal was announced in April 2026 during an official visit of Vietnam’s president to China, highlighting broader economic and aviation cooperation between the two countries.

The agreement involves ten COMAC C909 aircraft under a finance lease structure, although financial terms were not disclosed.

Vietjet stated that the partnership aims to:

• diversify financing sources,
• enhance access to international capital markets,
• and improve operational efficiency.

The aircraft are expected to support the airline’s expansion on Vietnam–China routes, including new services connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to secondary Chinese cities such as Hangzhou, Guilin, and Huangshan.

The Comac C909 (formerly ARJ21) is a 78–90 seat regional jet developed by China’s state-owned manufacturer COMAC. It represents part of China’s broader ambition to challenge the global duopoly of Airbus and Boeing in commercial aviation.

While widely used within China, the aircraft’s international presence remains limited, making Vietjet’s continued engagement strategically important for COMAC’s expansion in Southeast Asia.

Vietjet had already experimented with the C909 in 2025 through a wet lease arrangement with Chengdu Airlines. Two aircraft were deployed on domestic routes, but operations were temporarily suspended after the lease expired.

Industry sources indicated that the withdrawal was linked to operational and cost considerations—such as reliance on foreign crews—rather than technical issues with the aircraft itself.

The new agreement suggests a more structured and longer-term approach, including training and operational integration.

Vietjet is one of Southeast Asia’s largest low-cost carriers, operating a predominantly Airbus narrowbody fleet. According to Reuters, the airline currently flies around 135 aircraft, mostly Airbus A320-family jets, and has nearly 600 aircraft on order from Airbus and Boeing.

Fleet data also indicates the presence of a small number of COMAC C909 aircraft (leased), alongside widebody Airbus A330s supporting longer-haul operations.

This strategy reflects a dual approach:

• maintaining a high-density, cost-efficient narrowbody fleet for short- and medium-haul routes,
• while preparing for long-haul expansion with widebody aircraft.

Vietjet operates an extensive network across:

• Vietnam’s domestic market,
• Southeast Asia,
• Northeast Asia (including China, South Korea, and Japan),
• and a growing number of longer-haul destinations.

The airline’s business model is built on high-frequency, point-to-point services, typical of low-cost carriers, with a strong focus on leisure and emerging regional flows.

The introduction of the C909 is particularly aligned with secondary city connectivity, where smaller-capacity aircraft can improve route economics and frequency.

The agreement between Vietjet and SPDB Financial Leasing represents more than a simple fleet addition. It reflects:

• deepening Vietnam–China aviation ties,
• COMAC’s gradual international expansion,
• and Vietjet’s pragmatic, multi-supplier fleet strategy.

While past experience with the C909 was limited, this new deal signals a renewed commitment—this time embedded in a broader financial and operational framework.

Source: VietJet Air