US travel media: “Aviation strategy is Phu Quoc’s trump card”

Travel and Tour World notes that Vietnam’s tourism sector is entering a new phase of expansion as international arrivals recover rapidly and the aviation network is restructured to increase capacity. Within this broader context, Phu Quoc has emerged as a strategic focal point, not only because it is Vietnam’s largest tourism island, but also because it has been selected to pilot a development model in which air connectivity plays a central role in shaping the overall tourism ecosystem.

The U.S.-based outlet observes that the expansion of Phu Quoc International Airport is a strategic move amid the rapid growth of island tourism in Asia. Air accessibility has increasingly become a decisive factor in destination competitiveness, as limitations in airport capacity, flight frequency, or the lack of long-haul routes can quickly turn into bottlenecks for island destinations. For Phu Quoc, the airport upgrade is not only intended to ease current operational pressure, but also to create the foundation for the island’s next stage of development.

Recently, Phu Quoc International Airport was officially handed over to Sun Group for operation starting January 1, 2026. The model of a privately operated international airport is expected to enhance operational flexibility, improve investment efficiency and service quality, and better meet the demands of a fast-growing international tourism destination such as Phu Quoc. Sun Group is also the investor behind the airport expansion project. Under the approved plan, the airport will be upgraded to ICAO Code 4E standards, in line with the International Civil Aviation Organization, allowing it to accommodate wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 747, 787, and Airbus A350. The expansion will cover a total area of 1,050 hectares and increase capacity to 20 million passengers per year, approximately 4.5 times the airport’s current throughput.

Alongside the airport expansion, Travel and Tour World highlights the launch of a new airline closely tied to the ambition of elevating Phu Quoc, bearing the island’s name: Sun PhuQuoc Airways. Rather than serving solely as an additional transport option, the airline has been designed as a core pillar of the island’s development strategy. According to its roadmap, the fleet is expected to reach around eight aircraft by the end of 2025 and expand to nearly 100 aircraft by 2030, including wide-body aircraft for long-haul operations. 

TTW points out that although Phu Quoc is already a familiar destination for both domestic and international travelers, the island has yet to fully unlock the potential of several high-growth international markets, largely due to constraints in air connectivity. The emergence of an airline built in alignment with the island’s broader development vision is expected to help close these gaps, diversify source markets, and strengthen Phu Quoc’s competitive position against established island destinations in the region.

Another notable aspect highlighted by Travel and Tour World is the deeply integrated development model behind Phu Quoc’s tourism growth. By operating across key segments of the tourism value chain, from aviation to accommodation and visitor experiences, this approach allows for greater coordination throughout the travel journey. Such integration supports the creation of more seamless travel products and enhances the overall value proposition of the destination. 

This aviation–tourism integration model has proven effective in many major destinations worldwide, particularly in Europe and the Americas, where connectivity plays a central role in sustainable tourism development strategies. For Phu Quoc, the approach is aimed not only at increasing visitor numbers, but also at encouraging longer stays, boosting visitor spending, and shaping a clearer destination identity on the international tourism map.

Looking ahead, Travel and Tour World suggests that as domestic flight frequencies increase and international routes expand, Phu Quoc could attract a more stable flow of visitors throughout the year, reducing reliance on a limited number of markets. Over the longer term, the introduction of direct routes linking the island with Europe, the Middle East, and Northeast Asia would enable Phu Quoc to access higher-spending segments, while opening up new opportunities for trade, investment, and international exchange. 

In the broader picture, TTW concludes that Phu Quoc’s development strategy reflects a more structured and long-term approach to island tourism in Vietnam, with connectivity at its core. As aviation infrastructure is upgraded and the tourism ecosystem operates in a more coordinated manner, Phu Quoc has the opportunity to transition from an emerging destination into an island tourism hub with a stronger competitive position across Asia.