What did Thai newspapers write about Vietnam's airline preparing to take off?

Vietnam's newly launched airline Sun PhuQuoc Airways plans to buy a total of 100 Airbus and Boeing aircraft over the next five years to tap into the country's rapidly growing tourism market and exploit crowded airspace.

The airline, which began operating commercial flights on November 1, expects to serve at least 20 million passengers and achieve annual revenue of about $2 billion by 2030, General Director Nguyen Manh Quan said in an interview with Thai newspaper Bangkok Post in Hanoi. The airline will leverage its parent resort group Sun Group to offer travel packages as Vietnam attracts more foreign tourists.

“Our focus is to connect destinations within our ecosystem and attract more tourists, especially to Phu Quoc Island,” Mr. Quan said. “Look at places like Phuket, Bali or Jeju – all of which have become world- famous destinations. We want to contribute to bringing Phu Quoc to the same international level.”

Phu Quoc, an island off the southwest coast of Vietnam, is one of the country's major tourist destinations.

Sun PhuQuoc Airways will take off in early November

PHOTO: SPA

Sun PhuQuoc Airways is entering a highly competitive and price-sensitive market dominated by Vietnam Airlines and low-cost carrier VietJet, according to analyst Brendan Sobie of Sobie Aviation.

The new airline will also compete with Bamboo Airways and Vietravel Airlines. “Competing with Vietnam Airlines and VietJet, which have huge scale and market share, is not easy,” Sobie said. “Bamboo has struggled and is now downsizing significantly. Vietravel is still small,” he added. There is also Pacific Airlines.

Sun Group believes there is still room for domestic airlines in Vietnam. "With a population of more than 100 million people and increasing travel demand, the aviation market still has a lot of room to expand and many opportunities," Mr. Quan said, adding that Sun PhuQuoc is expected to own a fleet of 60 narrow-body Airbus aircraft and 40 Boeing 787-9 and 787-10 aircraft by the end of 2030. The airline, also known as SPA, has taken delivery of the first Airbus A321 in its initial fleet of eight aircraft. The airline and Vietcombank have signed a loan agreement to buy Airbus aircraft.

Another challenge could be buying aircraft amid production backlogs at Boeing and Airbus.

Sun Group, which aims to see the full-service airline as the final piece in its tourism, hotel and real estate ecosystem, expects the unit to break even in about two years.

The private conglomerate owns resorts and entertainment centers across the country and is investing about $100 billion in expanding Phu Quoc International Airport. Sun Group projects include Van Don Airport, luxury real estate, amusement parks, resorts on Phu Quoc Island, a cable car in Da Nang and a $2 billion casino project in Quang Ninh province, home to Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The airline will initially operate domestic routes connecting Phu Quoc Island with cities in the country. Next year, Sun PhuQuoc plans to fly to regional destinations such as South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan, Quan said. Sun PhuQuoc aims to expand to Europe and the Middle East by 2027, and eventually the United States.

Phu Quoc destination expected to be upgraded with new airline

PHOTO: BUI VAN HAI

The launch of Sun PhuQuoc Airways comes amid a boom in Vietnamese tourism.

International arrivals reached 15.4 million in the first nine months of 2025, up 21.5% year-on-year. Vietnam aims to attract 25 million international tourists this year, up significantly from 17.5 million in 2024.

Increased ridership coupled with increased capacity could result in lower fares, further benefiting passengers, Mr. Sobie said.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bao-thai-lan-viet-gi-ve-hang-hang-khong-chuan-bi-cat-canh-cua-viet-nam-185251017111111367.htm