China's C909 Begins Commercial Service in Vietnam

China's domestically developed C909 passenger jet has begun commercial operation in Vietnam, further expanding its presence in Southeast Asia, according to Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (COMAC). 

Two C909 aircraft, wet leased by Chengdu Airlines to Vietnam's Vietjet Air, began service on Saturday on the Hanoi-Con Dao-Ho Chi Minh City route, the aircraft maker said. [Note: Wet leasing is a common global aircraft leasing model in which the lessor provides not only the aircraft but also crew, maintenance, insurance, and operational support]. 

Vietjet, Vietnam's first private airline, are a major operator in domestic and Asia-Pacific regional routes. Industry insiders believe that the addition of the C909 jets is expected to boost their fleet capacity and support the development of Vietnam's aviation market. 

Formerly known as ARJ21, the C909 is a Chinese-developed regional jetliner with a range of 2,225 to 3,700 km. 

In December 2022, this model was delivered to their first overseas client TransNusa, an Indonesian airline. In March this year, COMAC delivered another aircraft to Lao Airlines. Vietjet are the third overseas operator of the aircraft. 

Todate, the three overseas airlines have collectively launched 15 routes using the C909 in Southeast Asia, transporting over 250,000 passengers.

And China's "Big Three" – Air China, China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines – have also indicated that they would be taking delivery of their remaining C909 orders by the year-end.

Not only that but each airline expect to take delivery of between ten to twelve C919s this year, doubling or tripling their existing fleets of the narrowbody. Already, COMAC executives were cited in local media reports in January that the Shanghai-based airframer are looking to deliver at least 30 C919s this year, as they raise production capacity to 50 aircraft annually.

Yesterday, Trent Alexander-Arnold came off the bench to fire home the winner in the 76th minute as Liverpool moved within three points of the Premier League title with a 1-0 victory at Leicester City. 

[Arsenal denied Liverpool the opportunity to be crowned champions on Easter Sunday with a 4-0 victory against 10-player Ipswich Town].