Vietnam’s Sun PhuQuoc Airways set for November launch
Vietnam’s newest airline, Sun PhuQuoc Airways, has announced that its first commercial flight will take off on 1 November 2025, marking the company’s official entry into the country’s aviation sector.
In a statement released on 25 September 2025, the airline confirmed that ticket sales will start in the second week of October and that it has secured all required licences from the relevant authorities. The launch could be part of a strategy by Vietnam’s Sun Group to expand its footprint across tourism, entertainment, and hospitality.
Domestic routes in initial plans
Sun PhuQuoc Airways revealed earlier this year that it will begin operations with a fleet of narrow-body Airbus aircraft, including the A321neo. Talks are also underway with Boeing over the possible purchase of wide-body Boeing 787-9 and 787-10 jets, signalling longer-term ambitions to expand into international markets.
For its initial phase, the airline will focus on domestic routes, linking major urban centres such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with tourism hotspots including Phu Quoc, Danang, and Quang Ninh. These connections are designed to support both domestic travellers and the country’s growing inbound tourism market.
A ‘fly-stay-play’ strategy
The airline is backed by Sun Group, one of Vietnam’s major private conglomerates, which has long been involved in tourism, resorts, real estate, and leisure developments. Industry analysts suggest the new carrier fits into Sun Group’s strategy of offering a “fly-stay-play” model, where the aviation business directly feeds into its wider network of hotels, resorts, theme parks, and entertainment projects.
By doing so, Sun Group aims to capture greater value from Vietnam’s expanding tourism economy, which has rebounded strongly since the reopening of borders after the pandemic. The company already operates a wide range of luxury resorts and entertainment complexes with casinos across the country, and the airline is expected to help integrate these assets more closely.
Investing in tourism and IRs
Vietnam has been investing heavily in infrastructure to boost tourism, with the government aiming to attract up to 35 million international visitors annually by 2030. The launch of Sun PhuQuoc Airways could provide fresh competition in a domestic market currently dominated by Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, and Bamboo Airways.
The launch also shows Sun Group’s push to broaden its portfolio. One of its largest projects is the Van Don Integrated Casino and Tourism Complex in Quang Ninh Province, a multibillion-dollar development combining hotels, leisure facilities, and gaming. Although the airline is not directly linked to that project, Sun Group may expand its scope to its airways
Analysts express it’s a good idea to start with domestic routes so the airline can establish operational stability before venturing into the more competitive international market. But the possible purchase of Boeing’s wide-body aircraft suggests plans to expand internationally in the upcoming years.
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