Sun PhuQuoc Airways Orders Up to 40 Boeing 787 Dreamliners

New Vietnamese carrier Sun PhuQuoc Airways has announced a significant order for up to 40 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner jets, marking the largest widebody aircraft order in Vietnamese aviation history. The move signals the airline's ambitious strategy to establish a robust long-haul network connecting international travelers to its hub at Phu Quoc International Airport (PQC).

The agreement, announced at a signing event in Washington, D.C., on February 18, 2026, positions the recently launched airline as a major future operator of the Dreamliner in Southeast Asia. According to a Boeing press release, the deal is valued at approximately $22.5 billion at current list prices if all options are exercised. This substantial investment underscores the rapid growth and increasing competition within the Vietnamese aviation market.

Airline Background and Fleet Strategy

Sun PhuQuoc Airways was founded in January 2025 by the Vietnamese conglomerate Sun Group, a major player in the country's tourism and real estate sectors. The carrier commenced commercial operations in November 2025, initially operating a narrowbody fleet of Airbus A320 and A321 family aircraft. The addition of the 787-9 Dreamliner represents a strategic pivot to long-haul international services.

The airline has stated a goal to expand its total fleet to 100 aircraft by 2030. The 787-9 order is the cornerstone of this expansion, providing the capability to operate nonstop flights from Phu Quoc to destinations in North America and Europe. This aligns with the carrier's "resort aviation" model, which aims to integrate air travel directly with Sun Group's extensive hospitality and entertainment ecosystems on Phu Quoc Island.

"We selected the Boeing 787-9 not only for its superior operational performance, but because it is the most suitable aircraft type to realize our vision of bringing Phu Quoc to the world and bringing the world to Phu Quoc," said Dang Minh Truong, chairman of Sun Group. Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, added, "We are excited to work with Sun PhuQuoc Airways as they join other global airlines in flying the 787 Dreamliner, which connects the most countries of any widebody fleet."

Vietnam's Growing Aviation Market

The order arrives amid a period of dynamic growth for Vietnam's aviation sector. According to the International Trade Administration, Vietnam's aviation market is projected to be the 5th fastest-growing globally. The market is also forecast to be the fastest-growing in Southeast Asia, with annual passenger traffic projected to increase by 8.1 percent between 2025 and 2030. This growth has spurred the emergence of new private-sector airlines, increasing competition for established carriers like Vietnam Airlines and VietJet Air.

Concurrent with the Sun PhuQuoc Airways deal, national carrier Vietnam Airlines finalized an order for 50 Boeing 737-8 aircraft, further highlighting the country's demand for new, efficient aircraft to serve both domestic and regional routes.

Infrastructure and Future Operations

To support its widebody ambitions, significant infrastructure investment is underway at the airline's hub. Phu Quoc International Airport is undergoing a major expansion, including a new terminal and runway extensions. These upgrades are designed to achieve International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Code 4E status, which is required to accommodate widebody aircraft operations like those of the Boeing 787.

With the 787-9 order secured, Sun PhuQuoc Airways is expected to begin announcing its initial long-haul destinations in the coming months. The first deliveries of the new aircraft are subject to production timelines and regulatory approvals, including the issuance of an updated Air Operator Certificate (AOC) to permit widebody operations. The airline has not yet disclosed a specific delivery schedule.

Why This Matters

This landmark order confirms the aggressive expansion strategy of new entrants in Southeast Asia's aviation landscape. It validates the "resort aviation" model, where an airline is deeply integrated with a parent company's tourism assets to create a seamless travel ecosystem. For the broader industry, it signals strong confidence in the long-haul market's recovery and the continued demand for efficient widebody aircraft like the Boeing 787.

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