[Source/Observer Network, Wang Yong; Editor/Zhao Qiankun]

According to a report by UK-based Flight Global website on April 21, VietJet Air has become the first Vietnamese airline to operate aircraft from COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China). On April 19, the airline launched new routes connecting Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Con Dao Island. These routes are operated by two C909 aircraft leased wet-leased from Chengdu Airlines in China.

Wet leasing is an internationally recognized method of aircraft leasing where the lessor not only provides the aircraft but also offers support in areas such as crew members, safety management, maintenance assurance, and operational control.

The report stated that through cooperation with COMAC and Chengdu Airlines, VietJet Air has made milestone progress in developing Vietnam's aviation industry and strengthening Sino-Vietnamese shipping cooperation.

VietJet Air-operated C909 aircraft - VietJet Air

Data provided by VietJet Air to the Observer Network shows that as Vietnam's first private airline, VietJet Air operates an extensive domestic route network and continues to expand in the Asia-Pacific region. The airline currently connects major cities in China and Vietnam, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Xi'an, forming convenient air corridors with Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Information indicates that the COMAC C909 aircraft has previously flown domestic and international routes in other Southeast Asian countries. For example, Indonesia's Lion Air has been using C909 for over two years, operating flights between islands within the country and, in 2024, flying the Manado-Guangzhou-Manado route. Lion Air, the first overseas user of C909, once consecutively flew the Manado-Guangzhou-Manado-Weda Bay-Manado-Morowali-Manado-Guangzhou route in one day, with an airborne-ground operation time of 15.88 hours, setting a new record for the single aircraft daily utilization rate of C909.

On March 30 this year, C909 entered Laos' aviation market. On April 12, the QV331 flight operated by Laos Airlines' C909 aircraft took off from Vientiane Wattay International Airport and successfully arrived at Pakse International Airport at 11:17 Beijing Time, completing its maiden commercial flight.

The RDPL-34229 C909 aircraft of Laos Airlines features a 90-seat all-economy layout, with internal and external signage in Lao language, customized external livery, and the national flower of Laos, the Champaca flower, printed on the tail. Laos Airlines plans to use C909 aircraft to operate domestic routes in Laos and gradually expand to international routes.

To date, three overseas airlines—Indonesia's Lion Air, Laos Airlines, and Vietnam's VietJet Air—have used C909 to cumulatively open 15 routes in Southeast Asia, transporting over 250,000 passengers.

In addition, Malaysia is considering the introduction of Chinese commercial aircraft. According to the Joint Statement on Building a High-Level Strategic Comprehensive Malaysia-China Community issued on April 17, both sides support Malaysian airlines in introducing and operating Chinese commercial aircraft, assisting in their respective industrial upgrades and energy transitions.

A senior official from Malaysia Aviation Group said on April 18 that the company is formulating its fleet expansion plan for the next few years and is closely evaluating the purchase of aircraft from COMAC. Models under consideration include C909, C919, and C929, and both parties have had multiple rounds of communication.

According to data provided by FlightMaster to the Observer Network, C909 already occupies half the market share in China's regional aircraft fleet. Currently, China's civil aviation regional passenger aircraft mainly include four models: C909/E190/CRJ900/MA60. In terms of fleet size, C909 has become the mainstay of regional operations, accounting for 57.3% of the total regional aircraft fleet, nearing six-tenths, while also making the fleet more youthful.

Based on weekly operational data, in the 12th week of 2025, Jiangxi Airlines had the highest C909 fleet daily utilization rate, approximately 5.8 hours per day. Among the three major carriers, China Southern Airlines performed best, with its C909 fleet averaging 5.5 hours per day, higher than Air China’s 4.4 hours per day and Eastern Airlines’ 3.7 hours per day; on average daily flight segments per aircraft, Chengdu Airlines averaged about 4.2 flights.

Additionally, according to a report by Indonesian Seasia website on April 17, Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary expressed great interest in purchasing COMAC C919 aircraft. He stated that if the price is reasonable, this model will be sufficiently attractive for replacing or supplementing its existing Boeing 737 fleet.

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Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7496087823120908836/

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