Vietnam Aviation Authority Proposes Approval for COMAC C909 Jets

Vietnam is advancing towards approving the operation of China's COMAC C909 regional jets, marking a significant step for both nations in the aviation market. VietJet Air has expressed interest in leasing these aircraft, with the Vietnamese Civil Aviation Authority (CAAV) conducting thorough evaluations to ensure compliance with international safety standards. The CAAV is proposing updates to legal frameworks to facilitate the certification of COMAC aircraft, which currently lack FAA and EASA certifications, thereby complicating their entry into the Vietnamese market. Although the introduction of the C909 is seen as a potential milestone for COMAC in gaining international clients, regulatory hurdles remain. The CAAV has also suggested recognizing Chinese aircraft design certifications as equivalent to U.S. standards, which would ease the operational challenges for Vietnamese airlines. Despite these initiatives, the approval process has faced delays, with VietJet's plans for short-term leasing of the C909 jets postponed due to regulatory issues.