On September 17, 2026, Sun PhuQuoc Airways and its Official GSA in the North and East China – Beijing Xianghe International Transportation Service officially announced a direct route connecting Shanghai’s financial hub (Shanghai Pudong International Airport) with Ho Chi Minh City (Tan Son Nhat International Airport). The inaugural commercial flight will take off on October 15, 2026, marking a new chapter in aviation connectivity between two of the region’s most dynamic markets.
Sun PhuQuoc Airways held a grand new route launch conference in Shanghai. Sun PhuQuoc Airways, relevant companies within the Sun Group ecosystem, and local aviation and tourism industry partners from China attended the event.
The Shanghai – Ho Chi Minh City milestone carries significant importance for Sun PhuQuoc Airways as it becomes the airline’s first route between Vietnam and China operated at a daily frequency (7 flights per week).
Identifying China as a core growth engine, the Shanghai – Ho Chi Minh City route serves as the opening step in Sun PhuQuoc Airways’ strategic network expansion plan for this market through 2026 – 2027. Following the Ho Chi Minh City route, the airline will launch the Shanghai – Hanoi route in November 2026 and the Shanghai – Phu Quoc route in March 2027. Additionally, the carrier is rolling out further connections linking Shenzhen (to Phu Quoc and Hanoi), Beijing (to Phu Quoc and Ho Chi Minh City), and Chongqing (to Phu Quoc).
Prior to this, the airline demonstrated its strong appeal in the Chinese market through the successful operation of its Chengdu – Phu Quoc (3 flights/week) and Chengdu – Ho Chi Minh City (4 flights/week) routes.
The decision to establish a high daily frequency in Shanghai stems from a deep understanding of this source market. Shanghai is not only a bustling metropolis with a leading economy, but also home to one of China’s highest-spending outbound travel communities. Operating on a daily schedule not only fully caters to the flexible travel demands of business travelers and tourists, but also enables seamless multi-city itineraries: travelers can begin their journey by immersing themselves in the vibrant urban lifestyle of Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi, before taking a connecting flight to retreat on the paradise island of Phu Quoc.
Flights to Shanghai are operated using modern Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft. To prepare for this phase of breakthrough growth, starting in October 2026, the airline will take delivery of wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft, targeting a total fleet size of 32 aircraft by year-end 2026 and 100 aircraft by 2030.
Behind Sun PhuQuoc Airways’ impressive growth pace is the strategic synergy derived from Sun Group’s comprehensive tourism – hospitality – infrastructure ecosystem (spanning Tourism & Entertainment, Hospitality, Real Estate, Infrastructure, Aviation, Finance, and Healthcare). Aviation does not operate in isolation; rather, it serves as the strategic link seamlessly connecting international travelers to a complete destination journey.
Sun PhuQuoc Airways is positioned as a full-service airline. Every flight is designed as an integral part of a luxury vacation: from dedicated VIP spaces at the Sun Executive Lounge, a “Cloud Dining” menu crafted in partnership with renowned brands like Maison Kayser and Tiêu Ngọc Châu, the AirFi Wireless in-flight entertainment system (IFE), to the exclusive La Festa Phu Quoc cabin fragrance onboard.
International passengers arriving in Phu Quoc will enjoy exclusive privileges, including In-Hotel Check-in service across Sun Group’s ecosystem properties, complimentary cable car tickets, and discounts of up to 30% across Sun Group’s entire portfolio of entertainment parks and luxury resorts.
