The Vietnamese airline has signed an agreement to wet lease two Comac ARJ21 (C909) aircraft from Chengdu Airlines.
Chengdu Airlines’ Comac ARJ21 (C909) aircraft. Photo: Chengdu Airlines.
In a recent statement to the Ministry of Transport (MOT) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV), Vietjet Air announced its agreement to lease two Comac ARJ21 (C909) aircraft from Chengdu Airlines. The leasing period is expected to commence on January 15, 2025, to cater to the peak travel season during the Lunar New Year, specifically for routes between Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh City and Con Dao.
This decision aligns with Vietjet’s long-term strategy to expand its fleet to meet growing demand on the Con Dao route and other domestic airports, as well as to explore opportunities in regional markets, including China.
Vietjet has committed to complying with all legal requirements and aims to complete the wet lease process with Chengdu Airlines as soon as possible. The airline will regularly update the MOT and CAAV on progress, as well as any challenges encountered during the implementation.
Vietjet has also requested regulatory support for approval of the wet lease agreement, which includes the aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance (ACMI). The airline has sought assistance with the issuance of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Foreign Air Operator Certificate (FAOC), and Restricted Certificate of Airworthiness (RCOA).
Additionally, Vietjet has requested coordination with the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) to ensure airport and ground services are provided to facilitate the smooth operation of ARJ21 aircraft. The airline also highlighted the need to expand certification approval for the Type Certificate (TC) of the ARJ21 as part of its long-term fleet development plans.
Speaking with Tri Thuc – Znews, a representative of CAAV confirmed they have received Vietjet’s proposal and are currently processing it. Vietjet declined to comment on the matter.
Earlier, in November, Vietjet was unable to lease Embraer aircraft for the Con Dao route. The airline cited non-compliance by the lessor of the Embraer E190 aircraft with contractual terms, resulting in delays that improved delivery schedules and operational plans.
The Comac ARJ21 regional jet is China’s first domestically manufactured commercial aircraft, which entered service in 2016. Recently rebranded as C909, this aircraft model currently has 124 units in operation, mostly within Chinese airlines. The only foreign operator of the ARJ21 is TransNusa (Indonesia), which received its aircraft in 2022. Chinese airlines has used the ARJ21 extensively on domestic routes, serving over 13 million passengers to date, according to Comac.
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Source: Vietnam Insider