COMAC Pushes For Approval Of C909 Jets In Vietnam

China’s state-owned aircraft manufacturer, COMAC, has intensified its efforts to expand its presence in international aviation markets by seeking to secure regulatory approval for its planes in Vietnam. According to sources familiar with the negotiations, COMAC is targeting the Vietnamese market with its C909 regional jets as it aims to compete with major Western aircraft manufacturers, Airbus and Boeing.

The push to introduce COMAC’s C909 jets into Vietnam comes as the manufacturer embarks on a more aggressive marketing strategy, aiming to appeal directly to regulators and airlines. This move follows months of talks with VietJet, Vietnam’s largest private airline, to lease two C909 jets for domestic routes starting on January 15. The deal was meant to be a short-term lease for connecting major Vietnamese cities to the tourist destination of Con Dao, where larger aircraft cannot land. However, despite the announcement of the lease, Vietnam’s aviation regulator has yet to approve the deal, citing concerns over the aircraft’s limited certification outside of China and Indonesia.

Sources told that while the deal had been widely reported in Vietnamese media, the delay in approval, along with VietJet’s long-term plans for the use of COMAC jets, had not previously been disclosed. The C909, previously known as the ARJ21, is China’s first domestically produced jet to enter commercial service. Though not as high-profile as the larger C919, the C909’s entry into the Vietnamese market would mark a significant step for COMAC in its bid to challenge Western manufacturers in Southeast Asia, one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the world.

The C909, which seats up to 90 passengers, has a safety record with no known accidents but remains relatively underutilized compared to its global counterparts. As of now, only Chinese carriers and one Indonesian airline operate the aircraft. COMAC’s push for international expansion has also included efforts to secure approval from other aviation regulators around the world, including the European Union, a critical hurdle to gaining broader acceptance.

Vietnam’s Regulatory Caution

Vietnam’s cautious approach to authorizing COMAC’s planes highlights the complexity of integrating Chinese-manufactured aircraft into international markets. While the C909 has received certification in China and Indonesia, Vietnam’s regulator is carefully considering the broader implications of certifying the aircraft, particularly in relation to compliance with Western aviation standards, including those of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The delay in the lease approval has prompted a strategic response from China. Last week, COMAC Board Director Tan Wangeng visited Hanoi, and in a concurrent move, Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Vietnamese President To Lam, urging closer connectivity between the two countries. These diplomatic efforts are seen as part of a broader push by China to strengthen ties with Vietnam, with economic cooperation increasingly expanding into areas such as defense and transport infrastructure.

VietJet’s Financial Incentives and Strategic Plans

Sources familiar with VietJet’s discussions with COMAC revealed that the financial terms offered for the C909 lease were particularly attractive, with one source describing them as “too good to resist.” VietJet, which operates a fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft, had previously been negotiating with a foreign lessor for the lease of two Embraer E190 regional jets but ultimately abandoned the deal late last year.

The airline had initially planned to use either the Embraer or COMAC jets to service the Con Dao route, a popular tourist destination. Despite the challenges of securing regulatory approval, VietJet’s longer-term strategy may include integrating more COMAC planes into its fleet, potentially including the larger C919 jet, as the airline looks to expand its operations regionally and internationally.

A Competitive Push into Southeast Asia

COMAC’s efforts to break into Southeast Asia are not limited to Vietnam. The manufacturer has been actively engaging with airlines and regulators across the region, seeking to establish a foothold for both the C909 and the more advanced C919. The C919, which is currently in service with Chinese airlines, is part of COMAC’s broader strategy to compete with Western aircraft giants in the narrow-body segment.

In addition to its engagement with VietJet, COMAC displayed its planes at an aviation exhibition in Singapore last year, marking a shift from its previous limited international outreach. The company is also working to secure approval for the C919 to fly in Southeast Asia, with plans to expand its production to 30 aircraft this year.

Challenges Ahead

Despite these aggressive moves, COMAC faces significant challenges. The lack of certification from major Western regulators, particularly the FAA, remains a significant obstacle for COMAC’s global ambitions. Vietnam, like many other countries in the region, is likely to weigh the risks of non-compliance with international standards before authorizing Chinese-manufactured aircraft.

As of now, the future of the C909 lease deal remains uncertain, but industry experts suggest that a swift resolution could be possible without a full certification review from Vietnam’s aviation authority. Rob Morris, global head of consultancy Cirium, indicated that the lease could be approved relatively quickly given that it may not require a comprehensive certification process.

With the growing influence of China in global aviation, COMAC’s efforts to secure a presence in Vietnam could serve as a pivotal moment in its ongoing battle to challenge established players in the aviation industry.