Vietjet Leases 10 COMAC C909 Jets in Deal with SPDB Financial Leasing

This article summarizes reporting by Reuters. This article synthesizes publicly available elements, industry data, and public remarks.

On April 16, 2026, Vietnamese budget carrier Vietjet announced a significant finance lease agreement with China’s SPDB Financial Leasing for 10 COMAC narrow-body aircraft. According to reporting by Reuters, the deal was signed during Vietnamese President To Lam’s state visit to China, highlighting deepening economic and aviation ties between the two nations.

While initial headlines and URL slugs suggested the aircraft involved were the larger C919, industry consensus and the body of the Reuters report clarify that the order is for the COMAC C909, the recently rebranded ARJ21 regional jet. This acquisition marks a crucial step in COMAC’s ongoing strategy to expand its footprint in Southeast Asia and challenge established Western manufacturers.

The exact financial terms of the lease remain undisclosed. However, the aircraft are slated for deployment primarily on routes connecting Vietnam and China, supporting Vietjet’s broader network expansion strategy in the region.

Strategic Timing and Route Expansion

The timing of the agreement carries notable diplomatic weight. The deal was finalized during President To Lam’s first overseas trip since taking office in April 2026. According to the synthesized research report, this serves as a gesture of strategic cooperation between Hanoi and Beijing.

“The deal… marks a significant milestone in Sino-Vietnamese aviation and economic ties,”

as noted in the provided research summary, underscoring the political significance of the transaction.

Vietnam officially approved the operation of the COMAC C909 in early 2025, following a visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Hanoi. This regulatory clearance paved the way for Chinese-manufactured aircraft to enter the fast-growing Vietnamese aviation market.

Expanding the Sino-Vietnamese Network

Concurrently with the aircraft lease announcement, Vietjet revealed plans to launch five new routes. According to the source material, these routes will connect Vietnam’s major hubs, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, with several Chinese destinations, including Hangzhou, Enshi, Guilin, and Huangshan.

Vietjet’s Fleet Strategy and Prior COMAC Experience

Vietjet currently operates a fleet of 135 aircraft, which consists predominantly of Airbus A320 and A321 models. The airline also maintains a substantial backlog of nearly 600 aircraft on order from both Boeing and Airbus, encompassing a mix of narrow-body and wide-body planes, according to industry data.

Building on Initial Test Deployments

This new agreement with SPDB Financial Leasing is not Vietjet’s first encounter with the Chinese manufacturer. In April 2025, the airline initiated a six-month lease of two C909 aircraft from China’s Chengdu Airlines to service domestic routes, such as flights to the tourist destination of Con Dao.

Although operations were briefly paused in October 2025 due to high operational costs and regulatory friction, the airline subsequently resumed their use. The new 10-aircraft deal expands this initial test deployment into a more permanent fleet integration.

COMAC’s Southeast Asian Push

Shanghai-based COMAC is actively working to disrupt the global commercial aviation duopoly held by Airbus and Boeing. Lacking certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is expected to take several more years, COMAC has strategically targeted the domestic Chinese market and Southeast Asia for its initial international expansion.

The Role of State-Backed Leasing

The C909 has quietly emerged as COMAC’s primary export product. By early 2026, the aircraft was already in service with Indonesia’s TransNusa and Lao Airlines, and had received operational clearance in Brunei and Cambodia. The Vietjet deal solidifies COMAC’s presence in one of the region’s fastest-growing aviation markets.

Chinese state-backed leasing companies, such as SPDB Financial Leasing, are playing a pivotal role in this expansion. By offering attractive financing terms to foreign carriers, these entities help mitigate the financial risks associated with adopting a new aircraft type.

AirPro News analysis

We observe that the Vietjet-SPDB deal underscores a shifting dynamic in Southeast Asian aviation procurement. While Western manufacturers still dominate the region’s massive backlogs, COMAC is successfully leveraging state-backed financing and diplomatic channels to secure a foothold. The discrepancy in early reporting between the C919 and C909 highlights the ongoing confusion surrounding COMAC’s recent rebranding efforts, but the strategic intent remains clear: establishing the C909 as a viable regional jet alternative in emerging markets.

Frequently Asked Questions

What aircraft did Vietjet lease from SPDB Financial Leasing?

Vietjet leased 10 COMAC C909 aircraft (formerly known as the ARJ21), despite some early reports citing the C919.

When was the deal announced?

The deal was announced on April 16, 2026, during Vietnamese President To Lam’s state visit to China.

How many aircraft does Vietjet currently operate?

According to industry data, Vietjet currently operates a fleet of 135 aircraft, primarily Airbus A320 and A321 models, with a backlog of nearly 600 additional aircraft.

Sources

• Reuters