Air freight boom drives Vietnam’s plan to develop cargo fleet

The latest data from the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam show that air logistics is experiencing a strong recovery, driven by growth in exports, high-tech manufacturing, and e-commerce.

In 2019, cargo handled through Vietnamese airports reached around 1.5 million metric tons.

However, volumes fell to just over 1.3 million metric tons between 2020 and 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain disruptions, and difficulties facing the aviation industry.

The market rebounded in 2024, with air freight totaling 1.5 million metric tons.

Notably, air cargo throughput reached a record 1.8 million metric tons in 2025, the highest figure ever recorded.

Of the total, international cargo accounted for 74.7 percent.

In the first half of 2026 alone, Vietnam’s airport system handled 920,900 metric tons of cargo.

Among major gateways, Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi handled 550,400 metric tons, making up nearly 60 percent of the country’s total cargo volume and around 65 percent of international freight.

The authority said air transport plays a key role in the nation’s import-export supply chain.

Although air freight represents only a small proportion of total cargo by volume, it carries a significant share of high-value products such as smartphones, electronic components, technology equipment, pharmaceuticals, and e-commerce goods.

While cargo volumes are growing rapidly, Vietnamese carriers capture only a limited share of the market.

Foreign airlines currently represent more than 80 percent of international air cargo transportation to and from Vietnam.

Vietnamese airlines mainly transport goods in the belly holds of passenger aircraft and have yet to build a sufficiently large fleet of dedicated freighters capable of competing internationally.

As a result, much of the revenue generated from transporting high-value goods continues to flow to foreign carriers.

Vietnam has become deeply involved in manufacturing, assembly and exports, but remains weak in the transportation link of the supply chain.

The market opportunity has long been recognized by businesses.

In 2021, IPP Air Cargo, founded by businessman Johnathan Hanh Nguyen, proposed investing around VND2.4 trillion (US$91.3 million) in establishing a dedicated cargo airline.

The project was expected to help Vietnamese companies gain greater control over freight capacity, but it was later abandoned.

Associate Professor and Dr. Nguyen Thien Tong, an aviation expert, said domestic firms’ air cargo capacity remains far too limited, allowing foreign airlines to dominate the market.

Amid rising air freight costs, the entry of more dedicated cargo carriers could increase competition, expand capacity, and help bring international freight rates closer to reasonable levels.

Vietnam plans to develop dedicated cargo fleet

Dang Ngoc Hoa, board chairman of national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines, said the airline is preparing for a major transformation this year by putting dedicated cargo aircraft into operation.

Unlike the current model, in which freight is primarily transported in the belly capacity of passenger aircraft, a dedicated freighter fleet would allow the airline to take greater control of cargo capacity, flight schedules, and large-scale import-export markets.

Vietnam Airlines also plans to develop logistics centers, cargo terminals, and maintenance facilities at Long Thanh International Airport in Dong Nai City, southern Vietnam.

Under Vietnam’s aviation development plan, the country is expected to have 36 airports by 2030, including 19 international airports.

Logistics hubs are planned in several locations across the nation.

The entire aviation system is projected to handle some 4.35 million metric tons of cargo annually.

However, the authority warned that modern airports and warehouses alone will not be enough.

The country also needs dedicated freighter fleets, balanced two-way cargo flows, stable flight networks and seamless connections with road, rail and maritime transport systems.

The authority is working with relevant ministries and agencies to improve investment policies and create favorable conditions for the development of Vietnamese cargo airlines.