Vietnam’s budget carrier VietJet can pilot China's Comac aircraft on some routes: Deputy PM

China’s state-owned aerospace manufacturer Comac and Vietnam’s budget airline VietJet should collaborate with a Chinese airline having Comac aircraft to pilot Comac aircraft on some of VietJet routes, says Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha.

Ha made the suggestion at a Wednesday meeting with Tan Wangeng, deputy secretary of Comac.

Ha noted that the cooperation between Comac and VietJet can diversify the Vietnamese airline’s fleet, helping the aviation sector meet the growing market demand.

Ha emphasized that the collaboration between the two sides must comply with the regulations of Vietnam, China, and the world regarding safety, insurance, maintenance of commercial flights. Comac must provide full information of its commercial aircraft with international assessments.

He also requested Vietnam’s Ministry of Transport to update the legal framework to speed up the operation of Comac planes in Vietnam.

For his part, the executive of Comac introduced C909, C919, and C929, the three aircraft already operational in China. Comac is willing to work with Vietnamese partners, he added.

In November 2024, Comac said it has been partnering with VietJet to operate its self-made airplanes in Vietnam as the former looks to tap the Southeast Asian country’s fast-growing aviation market.

In December 2024, VietJet said it was working with the Ministry of Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) to “wet lease” two Comac ARJ21 aircraft to operate some flights in Vietnam.