Fleet expansion and network growth

Vietravel Airlines recently added an Airbus A321, marking the start of a plan to induct nine aircraft within six months.

According to Chairman of Vietravel Airlines Do Vinh Quang, fleet size and structure are critical to operational capacity and competitiveness, with the expansion aimed at stabilising operations and supporting long-term network growth.

He noted that the carrier has resumed its Hanoi–Bangkok route and is accelerating both domestic and international operations. It also plans to launch a direct Hanoi–Amsterdam service from June 16 using Airbus A350 aircraft, with three weekly round trips, following the earlier introduction of Ho Chi Minh City–Phuket services.

Domestically, the airline is preparing to add routes linking Hai Phong, Thanh Hoa, Nha Trang, Da Lat, Quy Nhon and Buon Ma Thuot, while internationally it is set to open a Shenzhen route in the third quarter of 2026 and explore expansion to Taiwan (China) and the Republic of Korea (RoK).

Meanwhile, Vietjet Air has announced a series of new routes, including Hanoi–Hangzhou, Hanoi–Enshi, Hanoi–Huangshan, Ho Chi Minh City–Guilin and Ho Chi Minh City–Huangshan. Some routes have already been launched recently, while others are scheduled to follow.

Beyond China, the airline is also expanding into Japan and Southeast Asia, with plans to open Hanoi–Shizuoka on April 28, along with Da Nang–Jakarta and Nha Trang–Singapore routes between late April and early June.

In a new segment, Sun PhuQuoc Airways is expected to roll out nine routes to seven international markets in 2026, including Taiwan (China), the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, India and Malaysia. Initial routes such as Phu Quoc–Taipei and Phu Quoc–Seoul have already been launched.

Aviation drives inbound tourism

National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines said new international routes will enhance connectivity for tourism and trade while attracting passengers from Europe and Northeast Asia via Tan Son Nhat International Airport. Direct flights are expected to reduce travel time and improve fare competitiveness through promotional programmes.

According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT), Vietnam welcomed nearly 2.1 million international visitors in March 2026, with air travel accounting for 82.3% of arrivals, far surpassing land (15.5%) and sea (2.2%) transport.

Authorities attributed the strong growth in the first quarter of 2026 to support policies, including expanded visa exemptions, longer stays and simplified e-visa procedures, alongside increased flight frequencies and infrastructure upgrades.

Officials of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism shared that the rapid expansion of international air routes presents an opportunity to reinforce the city’s role as a key gateway, with efforts underway to develop distinctive tourism products and improve service quality to boost visitor spending and length of stay.

Tourism experts noted that route expansion should go hand in hand with destination development, warning that increased flight capacity alone may not translate into higher tourism revenue.

Vietnam therefore needs to prioritise service quality, develop distinctive tourism products and strengthen linkages between aviation, tourism and local authorities to optimise overall efficiency.

Domestic airlines to increase flights to serve travel demand during Tet holiday

VOV.VN - Vietnamese airlines have rolled out a series of measures to meet surging travel demand during the coming Lunar New Year holiday (Tet), including adding flights, opening new routes and expanding fleets, particularly from Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City.