Sun PhuQuoc Airways, the Vietnamese carrier backed by tourism conglomerate Sun Group, is accelerating its push into the Chinese market with a new daily service between Shanghai and Ho Chi Minh City, set to launch on October 15. The route marks the airline's first daily direct connection to mainland China, a significant step for a carrier that only began commercial operations in November 2025.
Previously, Sun PhuQuoc Airways' mainland China network comprised just two routes: Chengdu–Phu Quoc Island (three weekly flights) and Chengdu–Ho Chi Minh City (four weekly flights). The new Shanghai–Ho Chi Minh City service will operate seven times per week, offering a substantial boost in capacity on one of Asia's busiest city pairs.
Expansion roadmap
The airline has outlined a phased expansion into China. Following the Shanghai–Ho Chi Minh City launch, it plans to introduce Shanghai–Hanoi flights in November and Shanghai–Phu Quoc services in March 2027. Beyond Shanghai, the carrier is targeting additional routes including Shenzhen–Phu Quoc, Shenzhen–Hanoi, Beijing–Phu Quoc, Beijing–Ho Chi Minh City, and Chongqing–Phu Quoc.
This aggressive growth is notable given the airline's short history. Since its debut, Sun PhuQuoc Airways has rapidly built a network across Asia, connecting to Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. The carrier's fleet has grown in tandem, now standing at 20 aircraft, with plans to reach 32 by the end of 2026—comprising 28 narrow-body and four wide-body jets.
Longer-term, Sun PhuQuoc Airways aims to expand its fleet to 100 aircraft by 2030, split between 60 narrow-body and 40 wide-body planes. From 2031, the airline will begin taking delivery of 40 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, with a final goal of operating 150 aircraft by 2035, including 80 narrow-body and 70 wide-body jets, positioning itself as a world-class international carrier.
Sun Group's aviation ecosystem
Behind the airline is Sun Group, one of Vietnam's leading tourism and resort developers. The group's portfolio spans theme parks, hotels, real estate, infrastructure, and now aviation. It operates 22 five-star hotels and resorts, golf courses, and nine theme parks across Vietnam, and has extended its tourism ecosystem into airports.
Sun Group developed and operates Van Don International Airport, Vietnam's first privately funded and operated international airport, located in the Van Don Economic Zone near Ha Long Bay. It also invested in Phan Thiet Airport to boost connectivity to southern coastal destinations. More recently, the group took over operations of Phu Quoc International Airport, which serves as the main base for Sun PhuQuoc Airways, and has invested heavily in its expansion.
The airline's rapid growth comes as Vietnam's aviation market sees increased competition, with carriers like Vietjet and Bamboo Airways also expanding internationally. Sun PhuQuoc Airways' focus on China—a key source market for Vietnam's tourism—aligns with broader industry trends, though recent data shows fluctuations in Chinese outbound travel, such as the drop in mainland China arrivals to Japan.
For travel professionals, the new Shanghai–Ho Chi Minh City route offers additional capacity on a high-demand corridor, potentially easing cargo and passenger flow. The airline's planned expansion into other Chinese cities could also open new opportunities for tour operators and agents looking to tap into Vietnam's growing appeal.
Sun PhuQuoc Airways' strategy mirrors the broader push by Vietnamese carriers to capture a larger share of the China market, which remains a critical driver for the region's tourism economy. As the airline scales up, its success will depend on maintaining operational reliability and differentiating itself in a crowded market.
