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The event marked a step in the airline’s international distribution strategy and its entry into the Korean market, a key source of visitors to Phu Quoc.

At the seminar, the airline announced the launch of ticket sales for its direct Seoul (ICN)-Phu Quoc (PQC) route, scheduled to begin on April 17. The route will initially operate one flight per day, with plans to increase to two daily flights.

The airline also plans to introduce a Busan–Phu Quoc route from June 2026, expanding its network to connect the island with major cities in South Korea.

Speaking at the event, Ambassador Vu Ho described the Phu Quoc–Seoul carries a meaning beyond just a new route. It is a connection of tourism, investment, and cultural exchange.

Sun PhuQuoc Airways also announced Pacific Air Agency (PAA Group) as its general sales agent in Korea. With experience in airline sales, marketing, and distribution, the agency is expected to support the airline in expanding its presence and developing distribution channels in the local market.

According to the airline, distribution partners play a central role in its international growth strategy. The seminar also introduced route plans, sales policies, and partnership frameworks to support the development of travel products linked to Sun Group’s tourism ecosystem.

Korean passengers traveling with the airline will have access to promotional offers of up to 30% within the Sun Group ecosystem, including discounts on accommodation, dining, and leisure services in Phu Quoc.

In addition, travelers will receive complimentary tickets to the Sun World Hon Thom cable car, valid through June 2026, offering access to attractions in the southern part of the island.

Vietnam remains one of the leading destinations for Korean travelers, with more than 4.3 million arrivals from South Korea recorded in 2025. Phu Quoc has been a key destination within this trend, welcoming over 556,000 Korean visitors in 2025, an increase of 18% compared to the previous year.

Sun World Hon Thom. Photo courtesy of Sun Group

Data from Booking.com shows that searches for Phu Quoc by Korean users increased by 71% between October 2025 and mid-January 2026, with the destination ranking among the top five most searched. Figures from Phu Quoc International Airport indicate that Korean arrivals in the first two months of 2026 rose 33% year-on-year and doubled compared to 2024.

Air connectivity between Korea and Phu Quoc has also expanded, with carriers such as Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Jeju Air, and Jin Air increasing flight frequencies.

The introduction of additional direct routes is expected to reduce travel time and costs, supporting Phu Quoc’s position as an international tourism destination.

As Vietnam’s first airline named after a destination, Sun PhuQuoc Airways is developed under a hub-and-spoke model centered on Phu Quoc, with the aim of connecting the island to international markets.

Sun PhuQuoc Airways’s aircraft. Photo courtesy of SPA

The airline currently operates a fleet of 10 aircraft and has obtained safety certifications from the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam. It has also reported maintaining one of the highest on-time performance rates (OTP) in the market.

In addition to network expansion, Sun PhuQuoc Airways signed an agreement on Feb. 18 in Washington, D.C., to purchase 40 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners aircraft, marking a large wide-body aircraft order by a Vietnamese airline.