Vietnam’s Sun Group green-lit to expand Phu Quoc airport ahead of APEC 2027

The provincial administration hosted a ceremony to announce its approvals for APEC-related projects on Thursday, during which Sun Group’s subsidiary, Sun Airport JSC, was permitted to implement the Phu Quoc airport expansion project.

This decision follows a thorough evaluation of Sun Group’s financial and technical capacity.

The airport expansion project will be carried out in two phases, from 2025 to 2027 and from 2027 to 2030, with the total investment of VND21.998 trillion ($842 million).

Speaking at the ceremony, Bui Thanh Trung, chairman of Sun Group’s Southern Region, pledged to apply top international standards in quality, environmental sustainability, and smart technology over the 18-month construction timeline.

Under the national airport development plan for 2021-30, with a vision toward 2050, Phu Quoc airport is expected to serve 10 million passengers annually by 2030, and around 18 million passengers annually by 2050— a dramatic increase from its current capacity of four million.

The current 3,000-meter runway will be extended to 3,500 meters, and a second 3,300-meter runway will be added to accommodate wide-body aircraft.

Supporting infrastructure such as aircraft aprons and taxiways will be developed to meet growing traffic demands.

A new passenger terminal, T2, will be constructed, designed by renowned Singaporean firm CPG Consultants under the direction of its executive vice-president Steven Thor.

The design draws inspiration from the image of a phoenix, symbolizing grace and power.

The terminal will feature advanced technologies including remote check-in, automatic baggage sorting, and biometric ID systems that reduce processing time to as little as 15-20 seconds per passenger.

A dedicated high-security VIP terminal will also be built to host international delegations attending APEC 2027 and similar high-level events.

Aside from the airport expansion, the provincial administration also approved Sun Group’s investment in two major urban projects, including the Bai Dat Do mixed-use urban area and the Nui Ong Quan eco-tourism urban area, with the latter valued at VND5.55 trillion ($212 million) and slated for completion by mid-2027.

In related news, Sun PhuQuoc Airways, a new airline brand developed by Sun Group with a total investment of VND2.5 trillion ($96 million), on June 13 was granted an air transport business license by the Ministry of Construction—a merger of the construction ministry and the transport ministry in Vietnam's ongoing administrative restructuring.

Sun PhuQuoc Airways will begin selling tickets in late October this year and aims to operate its first commercial flights soon after, focusing on high-quality traditional and charter services.

This new carrier plans to center its operations around Phu Quoc Island off Kien Giang Province, connecting the island city with major domestic hubs including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and other key cities.