Phu Quoc Airport ramps up operations as international arrivals soar

The airport has been bustling in recent days, with long queues of international travelers completing entry procedures and vehicles lined up outside, waiting to transport tourists to hotels and resorts across the island.

To cope with the high passenger volume during the peak season, the airport has expanded check-in counters and increased operational space to accommodate incoming flights.

Previously managed by the Airports Corporation of Vietnam, Phu Quoc International Airport was officially handed over to Sun Group, one of Vietnam’s largest real estate developers, on January 1, for management, operation, and development.

On the same day, representatives of Sun Airport Joint Stock Company (SAC), a subsidiary of Sun Group, received the airport business license from Le Anh Tuan, Deputy Minister of Construction, according to Nhan Dan (People) newspaper.

Nguyen Ba Quan, director of SAC, said the company has received guidance from the CAAV to ensure full compliance with legal regulations during the transition.

Earlier in June 2025, SAC was appointed as the investor for the Phu Quoc Airport expansion project, aimed at increasing the airport’s capacity to 20 million passengers per year.

The appointment was made by the administration of the former Kien Giang Province, which was merged into An Giang under a national administrative restructuring effective July 1, 2025.

Following the appointment, SAC anticipated the surge in international arrivals and has since carried out the necessary expansions and improvements to meet the growing travel demand, Quan emphasized.

“Besides adding more check-in counters, we have expanded passenger areas and improved services to ensure a smooth experience during the peak season," Quan said.

“We have also upgraded Wi-Fi, information systems, and security measures.” 

Visitors have noticed the improvements.

“It’s excellent. The airport staff are very friendly, and we were assisted quickly with check-in,” said Kento Usami, a tourist from Japan.

Tran Minh Khoa, chairman of the Phu Quoc Special Zone administration, highlighted the airport’s role as the gateway to the island and a strategic entry point for international tourists.

Tourism has reached record levels, with luxury hotels and resorts fully booked and roughly 20,000-22,000 travelers arriving daily on about 80 flights.

“With their experience and resources, we believe the new operator will elevate the airport, ensuring it meets the standards of a world-class tourist destination,” Khoa said.

Uong Viet Dung, director general of the CAAV, described the handover as a major milestone for the country’s civil aviation sector.

He expressed confidence that the new operator would manage operations effectively, adopt modern governance models, and install up-to-date equipment to maintain smooth airport operations.

“With these preparations, we are confident the airport will continue functioning efficiently without disruption, especially as international arrivals surge at the start of 2026,” Dung added.