Sun PhuQuoc Airways takes delivery of first A330

Sun PhuQuoc Airways has taken delivery of its first wide-body Airbus A330, which arrived at Phu Quoc International Airport on September 22 following a flight from the US.

The delivery comes 10 months after the airline began commercial operations.

The aircraft, registered as VN-A969, will support Sun PhuQuoc Airways’ expansion of international capacity as Sun Group continues infrastructure upgrades at Phu Quoc Airport ahead of APEC 2027.

The arrival of VN-A969 brings Sun PhuQuoc Airways’ fleet to 21 aircraft. A day earlier, the carrier received its 20th aircraft, an Airbus A321LR. The addition of the two aircraft types will increase the airline’s capacity to operate longer international routes from its base at Phu Quoc.

Two fire trucks gave the aircraft a water cannon salute to mark its arrival. VN-A969 is the first of eight A330 aircraft that Sun PhuQuoc Airways plans to receive between September 2026 and April 2027.

After the aircraft reached its parking stand, technical and ground service teams carried out the necessary arrival procedures. Crew members then disembarked, completing the flight that brought Sun PhuQuoc Airways’ first A330 to Phu Quoc.

Speaking at the welcoming ceremony, Tran Minh Khoa, Chairman of the People's Committee of Phu Quoc Special Zone, emphasised the significance of adding wide-body aircraft to Phu Quoc’s tourism development strategy: “This is not only a joyful milestone for Sun Group but also a shared pride for Vietnam's aviation industry. Phu Quoc is stepping up efforts to attract international visitors, particularly high-spending travellers. Bringing the A330 into operation will contribute to enhancing transport capacity and service quality, meeting the increasingly demanding needs of tourists.”

The A330 is configured with 247 seats across three service classes: Business, Premium Economy, and Economy, catering to diverse needs on long-haul international flights.

The Business cabin has 20 seats in a 1-2-1 configuration, giving every passenger direct aisle access. The seats recline 180 degrees to form fully flat beds. The reddish-brown upholstery is inspired by the colour of Phu Quoc’s soil.

The remaining two cabins feature warm sand tones inspired by Phu Quoc’s natural surroundings. Premium Economy has 21 seats with a seat pitch of up to 38 inches, while Economy has 206 seats in a 2-4-2 configuration, with a seat pitch of 31 to 34 inches. Both cabins feature full-grain cowhide leather seats.

All three cabins are equipped with personal in-flight entertainment screens and onboard Wi-Fi. The aircraft also offers meals and the carrier’s La Festa fragrance. Sun PhuQuoc Airways plans to introduce Michelin-standard dining on its wide-body fleet, starting with Business Class.

With a range of up to 13,450 km, the A330 will enable Sun PhuQuoc Airways to operate longer-haul routes to markets including Russia, Kazakhstan, Japan, Australia and selected destinations in Europe. Together with the newly inducted A321LR, the aircraft will give the airline greater flexibility in matching capacity to individual routes.

By the end of 2026, Sun PhuQuoc Airways expects to operate a fleet of 33 aircraft, including five A330s.

Alongside the expansion of Sun PhuQuoc Airways’ wide-body fleet, Phu Quoc International Airport is also undergoing infrastructure upgrades by Sun Group. The group is investing approximately VND 500 billion to upgrade Terminal 1 (T1), increasing its capacity to around nine million passengers annually.

Terminal 2 (T2) and other supporting facilities are also under construction, with a total investment of approximately VND 58,000 billion. The facilities are scheduled to become operational in April 2027 ahead of APEC 2027.