International media spotlight on the launch of Sun PhuQuoc Airways

The launch of Vietnam’s new carrier, Sun PhuQuoc Airways, on October 15, 2025, has drawn significant international media attention. Bloomberg and Nikkei Asia — two outlets regarded as major voices shaping global economic news — both observed that the airline’s debut comes amid Vietnam’s booming tourism industry, bringing both challenges and opportunities for a new entrant to the aviation market.

The article on Nikkei Asia about Sun PhuQuoc Airways’ launch even topped the platform’s most-read list of the day, underscoring Asia’s strong interest in the emergence of this new airline.

Both economic giants emphasized that this is a strategic move, reflecting Sun Group’s ambitious vision to position Phu Quoc among the region’s premier tourist islands such as Bali (Indonesia) and Phuket (Thailand). 

“Our focus is on connecting destinations within the Sun Group ecosystem and attracting more visitors — particularly to Phu Quoc Island. Look at Phuket, Bali or Jeju — all have become world-famous destinations. We aim to elevate Phu Quoc to that same stature,” stated Mr Nguyen Manh Quan, CEO of Sun PhuQuoc Airways, in an interview with Bloomberg.

In its article, Nikkei Asia described the establishment of Sun PhuQuoc Airways as a “strategic move” by Sun Group, which has invested heavily in infrastructure, tourism, and hospitality in Phu Quoc. Quan told Nikkei Asia that the airline’s goal is not to compete for market share with existing carriers but to create an entirely new market centered around Phu Quoc, connecting the island with domestic and international destinations, and positioning it as a new tourism hub in the region.

Nikkei Asia portrayed Phu Quoc as one of Vietnam’s top travel destinations, famed for its creamy white sands, crystal-clear waters, magnificent sunsets, and a long-standing tradition of pearl farming that earned it the nickname “Pearl Island.” The publication also highlighted Sun Group’s continued investment in resorts, golf courses, and entertainment facilities on the island, praising Kiss Bridge in Sunset Town as a renowned spot for couples to capture Phu Quoc’s iconic sunset.

As Phu Quoc has recently been designated as a special administrative region under An Giang Province and chosen to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit 2027, which will welcome 10,000–12,000 delegates including heads of state and government from 21 member economies such as the U.S., Russia, China, and Japan, air connectivity demand is expected to surge. The presence of a new airline with a modern fleet, strategic planning, and distinctive positioning will play a vital role in enhancing the island’s transport and tourism infrastructure, bringing tangible benefits to the community.

Compared with regional tourism powerhouses like Thailand and Indonesia, Vietnam’s aviation market still holds vast potential. According to Bloomberg, the projected tourism boom could “offset” the still-developing aviation landscape. The number of airlines per capita in Vietnam remains modest, while Indonesia – with a population of 280 million – has more than 20 airlines, and Thailand, with 70 million people, has around 6–10 carriers. 

Together with Sun Group’s ongoing expansion of Phu Quoc International Airport, the arrival of Sun PhuQuoc Airways is seen as a crucial piece in advancing an integrated tourism–aviation growth model. It reinforces the appeal of the island, which was recently named Asia’s most beautiful island and the world’s third most beautiful by Condé Nast Traveler (U.S.). “When people think of Asia’s resort destinations, they think of Phuket, Bali, or Jeju. But why not Phu Quoc?” Mr Quan remarked in his interview with Nikkei Asia.

Beyond completing Sun Group’s tourism ecosystem in Phu Quoc, Sun PhuQuoc Airways is expected to give a fresh boost to Vietnam’s aviation industry through its destination-driven model. Its presence will strengthen the competitiveness of Vietnamese carriers, diversify tourism-related air services, and expand international connectivity, bringing Vietnam’s image closer to travelers around the world.