Vietjet to Restart Flights Using Chinese COMAC Planes After One-Month Break

Post by : Saif

Vietnamese budget airline Vietjet is preparing to start using Chinese-made COMAC aircraft again after a one-month break. According to sources with direct knowledge of the plan, the airline will restart flights on November 25, marking a positive step for China’s aviation industry as it tries to gain more international customers.

Last month, Vietjet stopped operating flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to the tourist island of Con Dao. The pause happened because the six-month lease of two COMAC C909 regional jets from Chengdu Airlines had ended. At that time, the airline said high operational costs and certain regulatory requirements made it difficult to continue immediately.

This pause had been seen as a setback for COMAC, the Chinese aircraft maker that wants to compete with Western manufacturers like Airbus, Boeing, and Embraer. COMAC has been working hard to expand into global markets, but slow production, certification challenges, and political tensions have made progress difficult.

Now, a renewed six-month lease deal is expected to bring the COMAC C909 jets back into service for Vietjet. Under the agreement, Chengdu Airlines will supply not only the aircraft but also pilots, maintenance support, and other operational services. This arrangement is similar to the previous leasing setup. One source also shared that Vietjet is considering more leasing options involving COMAC planes, although those are still going through regulatory checks.

Vietjet did not comment on the news. Chengdu Airlines and COMAC also had no immediate response. The decision to return to using the C909 is mainly driven by practical needs. Con Dao’s airport has a short runway, only about 1,800 meters long. Not all aircraft can operate efficiently from such a runway, but the COMAC C909 has short-field capability, making it suitable for this route.

The restart comes just as Vietjet prepares for higher travel demand during the upcoming holiday season. The airline mostly operates a large fleet of more than 100 Airbus aircraft, but the short-runway requirements in Con Dao make the C909 the better choice for this specific route.

The COMAC C909 seats around 90 passengers and has been flying commercially since 2016. It operates in several Asian countries, including China, Indonesia, and Laos, with more orders placed by airlines in Cambodia and Brunei. Vietnam gave approval for the aircraft earlier this year, after Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Hanoi. This approval reflects stronger cooperation between Vietnam and China in the aviation sector.

Meanwhile, COMAC is also trying to promote its larger C919 passenger jet, which competes with well-known aircraft like the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX. The C919 recently made its first appearance in the Middle East at the Dubai Airshow, where China hopes to attract international interest.

Overall, Vietjet’s decision to return to the C909 marks a new push for both the airline and for COMAC. It helps Vietjet manage passenger demand for important routes and supports China’s efforts to build a stronger position in global aviation.

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