Vietnam’s Civil Aviation Authority has formally defended Vietjet’s decision to operate Chinese-made Comac ARJ21 aircraft, responding to concerns raised by a member of the Vietnam Fatherland Front about potential safety risks, Lao Dong has reported.
The concerns cited Comac’s lack of FAA and EASA certification, minimal global flight hours, and limited operational history compared to legacy aircraft such as the Airbus A320
Key responses noted in the article include:
- Safety concerns: The CAAV acknowledged the importance of flight history but said current data shows Comac meets safety standards. Vietjet’s two ARJ21s have logged over 5,429 and 2,895 hours respectively without incident.
- Certification: While Comac lacks FAA/EASA certification, the CAAV noted close coordination with China’s aviation authority and strict oversight in line with ICAO standards.
- Supply and suitability: The CAAV said Embraer and Bombardier aircraft are in short supply. Comac uses over 86 percent US and EU parts and is suited to Vietnam’s short- to medium-haul routes.
- Impact of accidents: The CAAV argued that major aviation incidents in other countries often involved aircraft with international certification, and that safety depends on operations, not just design.
Of note, Vietnam’s approval of Vietjet’s use of Comac ARJ21 aircraft signals a potential opening for broader adoption of non-Boeing and Airbus jets in Southeast Asia, particularly in markets seeking affordable regional aircraft.
That said, whereas Vietnam’s regulatory endorsement sets a regional precedent it far from guarantees broader market acceptance.
See also: Aviation in Vietnam: Industry Overview