In a major boost for the COMAC C909 jet Vietjet has signed an agreement with SPDB Financial Leasing (SPDBFL) to finance the lease of up to 10 aircraft, marking a significant step in expanding aviation and financial ties between Vietnam and China.
The agreement was exchanged at the Embassy of Vietnam in Beijing during the state visit of To Lam to China, hosted by Xi Jinping. The ceremony was attended by senior officials, including Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister Phan Van Giang, along with representatives from leading enterprises in both countries.
The deal will see SPDBFL, a subsidiary of Shanghai Pudong Development Bank, provide operating lease financing for the aircraft. The arrangement reflects a broader push by Vietjet to diversify its funding sources and modernise its fleet as it expands its international footprint.
Vietjet said the introduction of COMAC aircraft would support its ambition to become a multinational aviation group, while also strengthening connectivity between Vietnam and China. The airline is expected to deploy the C909 on routes linking the two countries, helping to deepen regional air links and integrate supply chains across the aviation sector.
The partnership also highlights China’s growing role in global aircraft financing and leasing, with SPDBFL leveraging its experience in structuring large-scale aviation deals to support airline expansion strategies.
Alongside the leasing agreement, Vietjet announced five new routes connecting Vietnam and China: Hanoi–Hangzhou, Hanoi–Enshi, Hanoi–Huangshan, Ho Chi Minh City–Guilin, and Ho Chi Minh City–Huangshan. Services on the Hanoi–Enshi and Ho Chi Minh City–Guilin routes commenced in early April 2026.
The new routes are expected to boost trade, tourism and cultural exchange between the two countries, aligning with initiatives under the Vietnam–China Tourism Cooperation Year.
The agreement underscores a broader trend of closer collaboration between airlines and financial institutions in the region, as both sides seek more flexible financing models to support long-term growth and network expansion.
