Vietjet Opts Against Renewing COMAC C909 Wet Lease as Contract Expires
Low-cost Vietnamese airline Vietjet has opted not to extend its wet-lease agreement with Chengdu Airlines for two COMAC C909 aircraft, as reported by Reuters.
On October 20, 2025, sources indicated that the lease arrangement expired on October 18, 2025. The decision not to renew was primarily driven by the expenses linked to employing foreign crews and maintenance services, rather than any issues concerning the C909’s operational performance.
Regulatory constraints imposed by Vietnam’s aviation guidelines were also cited as a contributing factor.
The two COMAC C909 aircraft, manufactured by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, were added to Vietjet’s fleet in April 2025, shortly after a visit from Chinese President Xi Jinping to Vietnam.
Specifically, the first C909, registered as B-656, and the second as B-652G, were utilized on various domestic routes connecting Con Dao Airport (VCS), Hanoi Noi Bai Airport (HAN), and Ho Chi Minh City Airport (SGN).
This marked the C909’s official introduction to the Vietnamese aviation landscape. Both aircraft made their final flights for Vietjet on October 17, 2025, flying from Con Dao Airport to Hanoi Noi Bai Airport.
COMAC aims to solidify its presence in the Southeast Asian aircraft market, leveraging China’s strong relations with numerous regional countries.
In September 2025, Tony Fernandes, CEO of Capital A, the parent company of AirAsia, confirmed that discussions with COMAC were underway regarding the potential acquisition of several C919 planes.
It’s notable that the C909 was previously referred to as the ARJ21-700.
What do you think about the impact of Vietjet’s decision on the Vietnamese aviation market?
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