Vietnam’s newly-licensed Sun PhuQuoc Airways to launch ticket sales in Q4

Sun PhuQuoc Airways, a newcomer in Vietnam’s aviation industry, will begin selling tickets in late October this year and aims to operate its first commercial flights soon after, focusing on high-quality traditional and charter services.

The Ministry of Construction on Friday officially granted an air transport business license to Sun Phu Quoc Airways Limited Liability Company, or Sun PhuQuoc Airways, a new airline brand developed by leading Vietnamese conglomerate Sun Group with a total investment of VND2.5 trillion (US$96 million).

This ministry is a merger of the construction ministry and the transport ministry in Vietnam's ongoing administrative restructuring.

Operating as a full-service traditional carrier with integrated charter flights, Sun PhuQuoc Airways plans to center its operations around Phu Quoc Island off Kien Giang Province, connecting it to major domestic hubs including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and other key cities.

The carrier also aims to link Phu Quoc with major tourism and economic centers in Asia, such as Japan, South Korea, China, and other promising regional markets.

Its long-term plans include expanding direct routes to Russia, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Australia - markets currently underserved with direct flights from Vietnam.

This new airline will initially operate narrow-body aircraft such as Airbus A320, A321, and A321neo, suitable for both domestic and regional international routes.

The carrier is also in discussions with U.S. planemaker Boeing to acquire Boeing 787-9 and 787-10 wide-body aircraft for long-haul services.

From March to December 2025, the airline will complete its investment preparations, including staff recruitment, technical system setup, and legal procedures.

It has already finalized its pre-operational phases, including operational model research, safety standardization, and workforce capability planning.

If all proceeds smoothly, ticket sales are expected to begin by the end of this October, with the first commercial flights to follow shortly thereafter.

Previously, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh approved a plan to develop Sun PhuQuoc Airways with a 50-year operating term.

The company’s base airport will be located at Van Don International Airport in Quang Ninh Province, northern Vietnam.

Minh Duy - Tuan Phung / Tuoi Tre News

(2025/06/16-10:07)