The move comes as air travel demand grows, airlines pursue different network expansion strategies and carriers prepare operating plans for the final months of 2026 and 2027.
Passengers wait to check in at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Photo: Q.N).
According to figures released by the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, the country’s aviation market carried an estimated 70.5 million passenger trips in the first nine months of 2026, up 12.6 per cent year on year. Air cargo volumes reached about 1.3 million tonnes, an increase of 13 per cent.
Against this backdrop, airlines are pursuing different development strategies. Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet are continuing to expand their networks, while Sun PhuQuoc Airways is increasing its fleet and developing connections from Phu Quoc. Other carriers are focusing on restoring routes or adjusting their operating scale.
As of September 22, Vietjet had the largest fleet, with 107 aircraft. Vietnam Airlines Group, including Pacific Airlines and VASCO, had a combined fleet of 103 aircraft.
Sun PhuQuoc Airways aims to increase its fleet to 33 aircraft by the end of 2026. However, the target depends on aircraft delivery schedules, the availability of operational resources and market demand.
Vietnam Airlines recently announced plans to launch direct flights between Hanoi and Ahmedabad, India, from November 3, operating four return services a week with Airbus A321 aircraft. The carrier has also signed a contract to purchase 50 Boeing 737-8 aircraft, with deliveries scheduled for 2030-2032. This is a long-term investment plan and does not mean its operational fleet will expand immediately this year.
Vietjet launched flights linking Hanoi with Almaty and Prague, as well as a route between Almaty and Prague, in October, further expanding its international network.
Meanwhile, Sun PhuQuoc Airways, which began commercial operations in November 2025, is expanding connections from Phu Quoc. Under its announced plans, the airline is scheduled to launch a Phu Quoc-Moscow route on November 13 using Airbus A330 aircraft.
Vietravel Airlines is also expanding its domestic network. In June, it launched flights between Hanoi and Buon Ma Thuot and resumed services between Hanoi and Cam Ranh. In September, it restarted the Hanoi-Dalat route after Lien Khuong Airport reopened.
Bamboo Airways and Pacific Airlines, by contrast, are still adjusting the scale of their operations and route networks.
Alongside its request for airlines to review their domestic networks, the Civil Aviation Authority has encouraged carriers to work with local authorities, airport operators and tourism businesses to assess demand, promote destinations and develop suitable travel products. The aim is to increase direct connections, reduce travel time and costs, and limit the need for passengers to transfer through major aviation hubs.
A previous joint study by ATR and the Transport Engineering Design Inc. (TEDI) identified 149 potential domestic routes of less than 555km. Of these, 87 short-haul routes were considered potentially viable for operation but had not yet been launched.
The expansion of domestic networks under the authority’s guidance is expected to give passengers more travel options and improve connections between destinations. However, the launch of new routes will depend on actual demand, airlines’ operational capacity and the commercial viability of each service.
