Theme park operator Sun Group establishes new airline

The license from the Ministry of Transport will allow Sun Air to operate private jets, helicopters and seaplanes to serve tourists starting this third quarter, a representative told reporters.

The group plans to start with two business Gulfstream G650 jets capable of carrying 11 to 18 passengers each.

Between 2023 and 2025, it plans to have five private jets, one helicopter and two seaplanes.

The new airline will target businesspeople with deep pockets.

The Sun Group is a major real estate developer that operates theme parks and resorts across Vietnam.

A market study by airline consultancy ARGUS International has shown that demand for travel with private jets has increased by 15 percent from before the pandemic.

Vietnam currently has six carriers: Vietnam Airlines, Pacific Airlines, VASCO, Vietjet, Bamboo Airways and Vietravel Airlines.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has recently requested a license from the Ministry of Transport for new cargo airline IPP Air Cargo.

Vietnamese carriers transported 14 million passengers last year, down 56.6 percent from 2020, according to the General Statistics Office.