VietJet Launches COMAC ARJ21 on Con Dao Routes
VietJet, Vietnam’s leading low-cost carrier, is set to make history by becoming the first Vietnamese airline to operate the Chinese-manufactured COMAC ARJ21-700 on domestic routes. This milestone deployment is scheduled to begin in mid-April 2025 and will introduce a new era for the carrier as it expands its domestic network with state-of-the-art aircraft. The decision follows a recent company announcement outlining plans to launch the new jets on critical routes connecting the Vietnamese mainland and the island of Con Dao. These routes have gained strategic importance after Bamboo Airways suspended its only service to Con Dao Airport, leaving the island at risk of being isolated from regular air transport and forcing travelers to rely solely on ferry services.
In response to the suspension by Bamboo Airways, VietJet has acted decisively to maintain vital air connectivity for Con Dao. An internal document reviewed by Reuters reveals that the airline will operate four round-trip flights between Hanoi and Con Dao, and an additional four round-trip flights between Ho Chi Minh City and the island. All these scheduled services are set to commence on April 15, 2025, marking the official entry of the COMAC ARJ21-700, which is also marketed under the name C909, into the Vietnamese market. The new aircraft is expected to provide enhanced efficiency and reliability on these short-haul routes, ensuring that Con Dao remains accessible for both residents and tourists.
To facilitate this new service, VietJet is leasing two ARJ21-700 aircraft from China’s Chengdu Airlines. The first aircraft, registered as B-652G, is 2.8 years old and features a 90-seat all-economy configuration designed to meet the high passenger demand on this route. The second jet, registered as B-656E, is slightly newer at 1.7 years old and also offers a 90-seat all-economy layout. This leasing arrangement allows VietJet to quickly integrate the COMAC ARJ21-700 into its operations without the delays typically associated with new aircraft deliveries, thereby ensuring a swift response to the gap in service created by Bamboo Airways’ suspension.
VietJet currently operates a diverse fleet of 113 aircraft, including 29 Airbus A320-200s, 42 Airbus A321-200s, 35 Airbus A321neos, and 7 wide-body Airbus A330-300s, which serve both domestic and international routes. The addition of the COMAC ARJ21-700 not only diversifies the fleet further but also strengthens VietJet’s commitment to expanding its domestic network and providing passengers with more convenient and reliable travel options. By introducing these new jets on the key route to Con Dao, VietJet aims to boost tourism, stimulate local economic activity, and offer enhanced connectivity for a region that is increasingly important for both business and leisure travel.
This strategic move by VietJet underscores its proactive approach in maintaining air service on critical routes and highlights its determination to innovate within the competitive Vietnamese aviation market. As the COMAC ARJ21-700 begins its scheduled operations, VietJet is set to not only secure its position as a market leader but also pave the way for future growth and development in the domestic aviation sector. The new service is anticipated to play a vital role in ensuring that Con Dao remains a connected and attractive destination, thereby supporting the broader economic and tourism objectives of the region.
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