Vietjet to launch Europe services in 2026 while cutting costs with Chinese-made jets
Vietjet plans to begin Europe flights in 2026 and is pursuing direct routes and lower operating costs by leasing Chinese-made aircraft, the carrier told Nikkei Asia.
Vietjet will begin Europe services this year (2026) even as geopolitical tensions persist in the Middle East, the low-cost Vietnamese airline told Nikkei Asia. The carrier said its long-term aim is to operate direct Europe routes rather than rely on connectors, and it is pursuing fleet measures, including leasing Chinese-made aircraft, to reduce unit costs. The move signals an ambitious expansion of Vietjet’s international footprint while managers weigh fuel, route economics and regulatory hurdles.
Vietjet to start long-haul operations in 2026
Vietjet confirmed plans to launch scheduled flights to Europe in 2026 and expects those services to begin with one or more stopover routings initially. Executives said the early phase will likely rely on existing partnerships and intermediate hubs as the airline scales up operational capability. The carrier’s announcement frames Europe as a priority growth market for leisure and VFR (visiting friends and relatives) traffic from Vietnam.
Geopolitical risk and route timing
Company officials acknowledged that the ongoing Middle East conflict has added uncertainty to long-haul planning, but said it would not derail the Europe launch this year. Vietjet intends to manage overflight and diversion risks through careful route selection and flight planning, and by using interim routings where necessary. The airline emphasized contingency measures and the commercial case for entering Europe despite the volatile backdrop.
Fleet strategy centers on Chinese-made aircraft
To cut costs, Vietjet is moving to lease Chinese-manufactured jets rather than rely solely on Western-built types, company sources told Nikkei Asia. Executives argue that lower leasing rates and favorable maintenance packages can materially reduce unit costs on long-haul sectors. The shift is being presented as a pragmatic measure to preserve low fares while supporting the carrier’s broader international ambitions.
Cost savings aimed at protecting fares and margins
Vietjet’s pursuit of cheaper leases is aligned with its low-cost carrier model, where small reductions in per-seat costs can improve both margins and the ability to offer competitive fares. Management said savings from alternative leasing and parts-supply arrangements will be deployed to sustain aggressive ticket pricing into new markets. Analysts and market participants view the strategy as an attempt to balance growth with the price sensitivity of leisure travelers between Vietnam and Europe.
Plans to transition from stopovers to direct routes
While initial services are expected to include one-stop routings, Vietjet has signaled a medium-term objective of operating point-to-point direct flights to Europe. The airline will monitor load factors, yields and bilateral air service agreements as prerequisites for nonstop services. Direct routes would require additional regulatory approvals, crew training and possibly long-range equipment decisions that the carrier will evaluate as demand solidifies.
Regulatory and competitive obstacles remain
Launching Europe services and introducing new aircraft types will require regulatory clearances, slots at congested airports and coordination with European aviation authorities. Vietjet will face competition from established network carriers and other low-cost airlines expanding into Asia-Europe links. Market access, bilateral traffic rights and ground handling capacity at targeted European gateways are among the operational challenges the airline must address.
Vietjet’s announced plan to enter Europe and to rely on more cost-efficient Chinese-made jets represents a bold expansion for a budget carrier based in Southeast Asia. The coming months will test the airline’s ability to manage geopolitical risk, secure necessary approvals and translate lower unit costs into competitive fares that attract transcontinental travelers.
