On March 25 in Seoul, South Korea, Sun PhuQuoc Airways, a member of Sun Group, hosted the “Phu Quoc - Your Ultimate Escape” seminar, alongside the official launch of its General Sales Agent (GSA) in Korea. The event drew nearly 100 representatives from leading travel agencies.

The seminar marked a significant step in the airline’s international distribution strategy and formally activated the Korean market, one of the most important sources of inbound visitors to Phu Quoc.

During the event, Sun PhuQuoc Airways announced the opening of ticket sales for its direct Seoul (ICN) - Phu Quoc (PQC) route, scheduled to commence on April 17, 2026. The service will initially operate one flight per day, with plans to increase to two daily frequencies in a subsequent phase.

The route is expected to become a key international connection, strengthening links between Phu Quoc and Northeast Asia. Following the Seoul launch, the airline plans to introduce a Busan - Phu Quoc route from June 2026, completing a direct network connecting the island with Korea’s two largest economic and tourism centers.

Speaking at the seminar, Ambassador Vu Ho, Vietnam’s Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, emphasized the broader significance of the new route.

“The Phu Quoc - Seoul connection goes beyond a new air link. It is a ‘silk road in the sky’ connecting Phu Quoc, a world-class resort destination, with Seoul, a dynamic and creative metropolis of Asia. It opens up opportunities for high-quality tourism, investment, and deeper cultural exchange between our two countries,” he said.

He added that with a differentiated strategy, a strong ecosystem, and bold ambition, new entrants such as Sun PhuQuoc Airways have the potential to take a leading position in the market.

At the event, the airline officially appointed Pacific Air Agency (PAA Group) as its General Sales Agent in Korea. With more than 36 years of experience in aviation sales, marketing, and distribution for both passenger and cargo services, PAA is expected to support the airline in expanding its distribution network, accessing key sales channels, and accelerating market penetration.

According to airline representatives, agency and distribution partners are central to its international growth strategy. The Seoul seminar not only introduced route plans but also outlined cooperation frameworks, sales policies, and integrated products, enabling partners to develop flexible travel packages within Sun Group’s ecosystem.

Leveraging this ecosystem of tourism, hospitality, and entertainment, Korean passengers flying with Sun PhuQuoc Airways will benefit from discounts of up to 30 percent on accommodation, dining, spa, and leisure services in Phu Quoc.

Passengers will also receive complimentary tickets to the Sun World Hon Thom cable car, valid through June 2026, offering access to one of the island’s most attractive destinations in its southern region.

Vietnam continues to rank among the top destinations for Korean travelers, welcoming more than 4.3 million Korean visitors in 2025, making it one of the country’s largest inbound markets. Within this trend, Phu Quoc has emerged as a standout destination, receiving over 556,000 Korean visitors in 2025, up 18 percent compared to the previous year.

Booking.com data shows that searches for Phu Quoc from Korea increased by 71 percent between October 2025 and mid-January 2026, with peak-season demand rising sharply and placing the island among the top five most searched destinations.

Data from Phu Quoc International Airport further indicates that in the first two months of 2026, Korean arrivals grew by 33 percent year-on-year and doubled compared to 2024.

Air connectivity has also expanded significantly. By the end of 2025, direct flight frequencies between Korea and Phu Quoc had reached record levels, with major carriers such as Korean Air and Asiana Airlines, along with low-cost airlines including Jeju Air and Jin Air, continuously increasing their services.

The introduction of additional direct routes is expected to further reduce travel time and costs, enhancing Phu Quoc’s competitiveness as a leading international resort destination. The island combines pristine natural landscapes, a 30-day visa exemption policy, and a comprehensive tourism ecosystem.

As Vietnam’s first airline named after a destination, Sun PhuQuoc Airways is being developed under a hub-and-spoke model, with Phu Quoc at its core, aiming to directly connect international markets to the island.

Despite being a new entrant, the airline has quickly built a fleet of 10 modern aircraft, obtained key safety certifications from the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, and maintained one of the highest on-time performance rates in the market.

In parallel with its network expansion, on February 18, 2026, in Washington D.C., Sun PhuQuoc Airways signed an agreement worth US$22.5 billion to purchase 40 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, marking the largest widebody aircraft order ever placed by a Vietnamese airline.

PV