Summary
A new Vietnamese airline has launched. Sun PhuQuoc Airways (SPA), a leisure-focused carrier backed by the hospitality and real-estate group Sun Group, commenced commercial operations on 1 November 2025.
Who is Sun PhuQuoc Airways?
Sun PhuQuoc Airways was officially established in May 2025 after approval by the Vietnamese government, with an initial investment totalling approximately VND 2.5 trillion (roughly US $95-100 million). The airline is created with a unique positioning: it is being labelled as Vietnam’s “first leisure airline” — built around the core tourist destination of Phu Quoc Island, the resorts and attractions of the Sun Group portfolio, and the concept of linking aviation with destination experiences.
The carrier has also received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) and Training Organization Certificate, enabling it to launch ticket sales by mid-October 2025 and commence operations in early November.
Launch and Early Network
On the morning of 1 November 2025, Sun PhuQuoc Airways launched its inaugural commercial flight — flight 9G1203 — from Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport to Phu Quoc aboard an Airbus A321 aircraft, carrying 220 passengers. Shortly thereafter flights from Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang to Phu Quoc also departed, meaning the airline began operations on three domestic routes: Hanoi ↔ Phu Quoc, Ho Chi Minh City ↔ Phu Quoc, and Hanoi ↔ Ho Chi Minh City.
One route, Da Nang ↔ Phu Quoc, was operated as a special celebratory flight on Day 1 and is scheduled to enter regular service from March 2026.
Aircraft Fleet & Ambitions
At launch the airline’s fleet is comprised of Airbus A321-series narrow-body aircraft. While the exact breakdown of individual airframes is still emerging, SPA has confirmed the use of A321 jets in its early operations. Looking ahead, the carrier is also in discussions with Boeing about wide-body aircraft such as the 787-9/10 for longer-haul services.
Further, the growth targets are ambitious: the airline plans to operate a fleet of eight aircraft by end 2025, expanding to 25 by end 2026 and ultimately reaching up to 31-100 aircraft by 2030, depending on the source.
Destination Strategy
The airline’s immediate focus is on connecting Phu Quoc Island more closely with Vietnam’s major centres and, in due course, expanding internationally. The early service rollout centres on the domestic leisure market, aligning with the surrounding ecosystem of resorts and tourism infrastructure.
In 2026 and beyond, Sun PhuQuoc Airways has announced plans to launch regular services on routes such as Da Nang ↔ Phu Quoc and Nha Trang ↔ Phu Quoc. On the international side, the carrier aims to serve destinations including South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong and India, thereby positioning Phu Quoc as a regional aviation and tourism hub.
Current Fleet
The current aircraft fleet at Sun PhuQuoc Airways is:
- VN-A279 (msn 8577), Airbus A321-211
- VN-A280 (msn 8592), Airbus A321-211
- Future: VN-A281 (msn 12578), Airbus A321-251NX
