Vietjet has signed a finance lease agreement for up to 10 COMAC C909 aircraft, following a recent experience with the Chinese regional jet. The deal was reached with SPDB Financial Leasing and announced during a state visit to China by Vietnam’s president.
The airline did not disclose financial terms but said the aircraft will support growth on regional routes, particularly between Vietnam and China. Vietjet has already been operating two C909 jets under a wet-lease arrangement with Chengdu Airlines since last year, providing initial experience with the type.
The new agreement signals a shift from short-term leased capacity toward a more structured introduction of the aircraft into its fleet. With up to 10 units, Vietjet could become one of the largest operators of the C909 outside China.
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The C909, previously known as the ARJ21-700, is a 90-seat regional jet developed by COMAC with design influences from earlier Western aircraft, particularly the McDonnell Douglas MD-95. The program relied on a mix of domestic and foreign technologies, including CF34 engines supplied by GE Aerospace.
This dependence on Western components has created constraints at times, particularly amid tensions between the United States and China. Engine supply has been one of the limiting factors for production, contributing to fluctuations in output. COMAC delivered 21 aircraft last year, compared with 37 in 2024, reflecting the impact of these supply chain challenges.
So far, the model has seen limited international adoption, with most deliveries concentrated among Chinese carriers and a small number of operators in Southeast Asia.
Vietjet said the aircraft will be deployed on routes linking cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to destinations in China, including Hangzhou, Enshi, Guilin and Huangshan, as the airline expands its regional network.
The carrier currently operates a fleet of around 135 aircraft, primarily Airbus models, and has a large order book with both Airbus and Boeing.
