Hanoi (VNA) - Sun PhuQuoc Airways (SPA), the airline of Sun Group, is ready to launch its first international route, connecting Phu Quoc (Vietnam) and Taipei (Taiwan, China) from March 29, 2026. This milestone marks the airline’s official entry into the international market and establishes Phu Quoc’s direct air links with key economic and tourism hubs across Asia.
From March 29, passengers will be able to fly non-stop between Phu Quoc and Taipei on Sun PhuQuoc Airways. This will be the first international route in the airline’s network, representing a significant step in SPA’s international expansion strategy while strengthening Phu Quoc’s position as a gateway to Asia.
Tickets for the route will officially go on sale from January 21, following SPA’s receipt of the Air Route Certificate from the Taiwan Civil Aeronautics Administration on January 5 after a rigorous evaluation process. This regulatory approval enables the airline to operate direct services to Taiwan.
To ensure effective market entry and strong distribution in Taiwan, Sun PhuQuoc Airways has appointed Hongyi Travel Service as its General Sales Agent (GSA). With 38 years of experience in international travel, Hongyi is one of Taiwan’s leading and most reputable travel companies, boasting a strong distribution network and stable customer base.
Phu Quoc ranked Asia’s most beautiful island and the third most beautiful in the world by Condé Nast Traveler has become increasingly popular among Taiwanese travelers thanks to its pristine beaches, convenient air connectivity and diverse tourism ecosystem. Highlights include the world’s longest three-wire cable car to Hon Thom Island, the Sunset Town with nightly fireworks from the Symphony of the Sea and Kiss of the Sea shows, making Phu Quoc the only island in the world to host fireworks twice every night, 365 days a year and the vibrant VUI-Fest night market and Sunset Bazaar.
According to Phu Quoc International Airport, more than 144,000 visitors from Taiwan (China) travelled to the island in 2025, and the number continues to grow.
SPA’s direct Taipei - Phu Quoc service is expected to serve as a vital air bridge, significantly reducing travel time compared to connecting flights while enhancing the overall travel experience. The route is also set to stimulate high-quality international tourism flows and unlock new opportunities for tourism exchange between Vietnam and Taiwan.
Beyond Taipei, Sun PhuQuoc Airways will expand its international network from early Q2/2026, launching routes to Busan, Singapore, Bangkok and Hong Kong, followed in Q3/2026 by services to Mumbai, New Delhi and Kaohsiung. On the domestic front, SPA continues to strengthen connectivity to Phu Quoc with high-frequency services, including Phu Quoc - Hanoi (up to 5 flights daily), Phu Quoc - Ho Chi Minh City (7 flights daily), Phu Quoc - Da Nang (1 flight daily from March 15, 2026) and Phu Quoc - Cam Ranh (4 flights per week from March 15, 2026), with further increases planned through the end of the year. The airline also maintains operations on high-demand trunk routes such as Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City, and plans to add Hanoi - Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City - Da Nang from May.
Sun PhuQuoc Airways is the first Vietnamese airline named after an island. Developed by Sun Group under a hub-and-spoke network model, SPA positions Phu Quoc as a primary gateway for international tourism into Vietnam, directly linking the island with major economic and tourism centres worldwide. The airline aims to serve both Vietnamese and global travellers through direct flights, competitive pricing and a seamless experience integrated with Sun Group’s ecosystem on Phu Quoc further strengthening the island’s standing as an international destination.
SPA has made a remarkable mark with its rapid fleet expansion, growing from zero to nine aircraft in just six months (from its first delivery on August 10, 2025 to February 2026), an exceptionally fast pace for a newly launched airline in Vietnam.
In addition, SPA currently operates the youngest fleet in Vietnam, enhancing operational efficiency and reliability. In last December, amid peak industry demand, SPA achieved an On-Time Performance (OTP) of 93.5%, leading the entire Vietnamese aviation sector. This compares to an industry average OTP of just 70.7%, a notable achievement during the year-end peak season./.
