Sun PhuQuoc Airways just made a clear statement about what kind of airline it wants to be. The new Vietnam-based carrier has ordered up to 40 Boeing 787 Dreamliner jets, and it plans to use them as the core of its widebody fleet. Boeing says the 787s will help the airline connect international travelers to its hub at Phu Quoc International Airport, using long-range flying to link the island to major markets.
“Our partnership with Boeing establishes a strong foundation for building a world-class airline that operates in sync with the tourism and resort ecosystem Sun Group has developed,” said Dang Minh Truong, chairman of Sun Group, the airline’s Vietnam-based parent company. “We selected the Boeing 787-9 not only for its superior operational performance, but because it is the most suitable aircraft type to realize our vision of bringing Phu Quoc to the world and bringing the world to Phu Quoc.”
General Secretary To Lam and U.S. government representatives joined airline and Boeing leaders to recognize the previously unidentified purchase. Boeing described it as the largest Boeing widebody order in Vietnamese history.
Sun PhuQuoc Airways is Vietnam’s first airline named after an island. Sun Group says it is building the carrier under a “resort aviation” model, using a hub-and-spoke strategy focused on Phu Quoc. The plan is simple: nonstop flights that connect the island to key domestic and international tourism and economic centers, supported by competitive fares and an experience tied into Sun Group’s wider resort ecosystem.
The airline also says it has a long runway for growth. Sun PhuQuoc Airways plans to expand its fleet to 100 aircraft by 2030, aiming to capture rising demand for premium tourism travel linked to both Phu Quoc and Vietnam.
Why the 787-9 fits the plan
Boeing says the airline selected the 787-9, a long-range variant with a range of 7,565 nautical miles (14,010 km). That reach can connect Phu Quoc with major cities and tourist destinations across Asia, Europe, and North America, using one aircraft type as the backbone of the widebody operation.
“We are excited to work with Sun PhuQuoc Airways as they join other global airlines in flying the 787 Dreamliner, which connects the most countries of any widebody fleet,” said Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The 787-9’s unmatched range, fuel efficiency and passenger comfort will give the airline flexibility to open new long-haul markets, lower operating costs and contribute to local tourism growth.”
Boeing adds that the 787 Dreamliner family has been in airline service since 2011. The company says the global fleet has helped launch more than 535+ new nonstop routes and has carried more than 1.2 billion passengers. Boeing also points to long-term growth in Southeast Asia, and it says Vietnam is expected to be the region’s fastest-growing market with annual passenger growth of nearly 8% by 2030.
Post Comment