Air TransportSun PhuQuoc Airways orders up to 40 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners
Sun PhuQuoc Airways has ordered up to 40 Boeing 787-9 aircraft to build its long-haul fleet, in what Boeing described as the largest widebody order ever placed by a Vietnamese carrier.
The carrier, backed by conglomerate Sun Group, selected the 787-9 to form the backbone of its future long-haul fleet. The aircraft will be used to connect Phu Quoc International Airport, on Vietnam’s largest island, with destinations across Asia, Europe and North America.
Sun PhuQuoc Airways is being developed under what the group describes as a “resort aviation” model, aimed at integrating air transport with tourism and hospitality assets on the island. Phu Quoc has emerged in recent years as a key leisure destination, and the airline intends to position the airport as a gateway for international visitors.
“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. “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.”
The 787-9 has a range of 7,565 nautical miles (14,010 km), allowing nonstop services from Vietnam to major cities in Europe and potentially parts of North America.
The order, previously unidentified in Boeing’s backlog, comes as Southeast Asia is forecast to see strong passenger growth over the next two decades, with Vietnam expected to rank among the fastest-growing markets in the region.
Sun PhuQuoc Airways has plans to expand its fleet to as many as 100 aircraft by 2030, according to the new company.
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