Vietjet will not renew its six-month leases for two COMAC C909 aircraft. The aircraft — formerly known as ARJ21 — have been wet-leased from Chengdu Airlines since April 2025.
Reuters first reported that the Vietnamese low-cost carrier had stopped operating the Chinese-made regional jets on October 18, citing two people familiar with the matter.
A person familiar with the matter explained to Airline Economics that the decision was driven by the airline's aim to transition into long-term dry leases, and that it has not withdrawn completely from the C909 programme.
They confirmed that the airline has had no technical issues with the C909s.
Vietjet has a fleet of just over 120 aircraft, mostly comprised of Airbus aircraft, including the A320 family and A330 widebodies. The airline took delivery of a new A330 in September 2025.
Additionally, the airline received its first Boeing aircraft in the form of one 737 MAX that same month. Vietjet placed an order for 100 737 MAX jets in 2016, which it later doubled to 200 jets.
During the Paris Air Show in June this year, Vietjet ordered 100 A321neo aircraft, with 50 options. The deal had confirmed an Airline Economics report in April that the airline was looking to make a substantial Airbus narrowbody order for over 100 jets.
An initial report stated that the airline was looking to formalise the deal in tandem with French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Vietnam in late May. Instead, the company disclosed an order for an additional 20 A330neo aircraft during the presidential visit on May 26, 2025.
Some delays in finalising the narrowbody order had led to it being announced at the Paris Air Show instead.
Earlier this week, Vietjet signed a partnership agreement with Airways Aviation. Under the agreement, Airways Aviation will collaborate with Vietjet Aviation Academy (VJAA) to implement international-standard pilot training programmes in Europe.
Vietjet said this move will support its operations as it prepares to expand into major markets in Europe and the Americas.