Sun Group’s airline put into operation the direct flight Phu Quoc – Chengdu from July 16, with a frequency of three round trips per week, filling more than 90% of the first flight.
According to Sun Group, this is the first regular direct flight directly connecting Phu Quoc with Chengdu. Flights operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
The first flight number 9G610 took off from Phu Quoc International Airport on July 16 at 4:40 p.m. and landed at Thien Phu International Airport (Chengdu) at 9:05 p.m. (local time). In the opposite direction, flight 9G611 departed from Chengdu at 10:05 p.m. and landed in Phu Quoc at 0:35 a.m. on July 17.
First flight travelers. Image: SPA
On the opening day, the Chengdu to Phu Quoc flight achieved an occupancy rate of more than 90%, reflecting the demand for connection between the two destinations and the growing attraction of Phu Quoc to tourists in Southwest China.
On the first flight, Ms. Liu Yu Ting, a tourist from Chengdu, shared that Phu Quoc is still a relatively new destination for her and her family, so she really wanted to explore it. “Previously there was no direct flight, so I couldn’t arrange a trip. Now everything is much more convenient,” said Ms. Liu Yu Ting.
After the Phu Quoc – Thanh Do route, on August 12, SPA continued to take off the Thanh Do – Ho Chi Minh City flight with a frequency of three round trips per week. Putting these routes into operation one by one helps expand the connection between Vietnam and the southwest region of China. With more than 21 million people, Chengdu is one of China’s important economic, commercial and transportation centers, and is part of the country’s fast-growing foreign tourist market.
Representatives of Phu Quoc International Airport presented gifts to the first visitors of the route. Image: SPA
Mr. Zhang Wei, a Chengdu tourist, shared his satisfaction with the flight quality. He said he thought a new airline would only provide basic services, but Sun PhuQuoc Airways brought an experience that exceeded expectations. “The cabin was clean and beautiful, the flight attendants were very enthusiastic, the meals were delicious and the journey was very comfortable, making me even more excited to explore Phu Quoc,” Mr. Zhang Wei shared.
On the flight, Sun Phu Quoc Airways (SPA) applies the “Resort in the Sky” resort airline model, providing a seamless journey with checked baggage and meals according to ticket class, new generation cabins, signature La Festa scent, wireless entertainment system (IFE) and a menu combining the culinary quintessence of many cultures.
The airline’s flight attendants welcome visitors. Image: SPA
Passengers who keep their boarding passes will receive free Sun World Hon Thom cable car tickets and enjoy discounts of up to 30% on resort, culinary, spa and entertainment services in the Sun Group ecosystem in Phu Quoc. Becoming a member of Sun Signature – Sun Group’s loyalty program also helps passengers accumulate reward points from each flight to redeem air tickets, services and unlock more privileges throughout the ecosystem.
The airline’s representative said that choosing Chengdu as the first destination in the Southwest region of China is part of Sun Phu Quoc Airways’ strategy to expand its presence in one of China’s fastest growing outbound markets (international markets).
Many experts say Phu Quoc is still a new destination for southwest Chinese tourists. The operation of the route helps open up large space for market development and promotes passenger exchange between the two localities.
Tourists in Chengdu check-in for flights. Image: SPA
In parallel with the Chinese market, the airline is expanding its flight network to Malaysia, India, Japan, Russia and Kazakhstan; At the same time, develop more domestic connections to Phu Quoc according to the “hub and spoke” model, gradually increasing the ability to access Pearl Island from domestic and foreign source markets.
The unit deployed the flight network expansion at the same time as the plan to increase the fleet size to 32 aircraft in 2026, putting into operation the wide-body Airbus A330 line from September. These are important foundations for Sun PhuQuoc Airways to realize the “Rise to the World” strategy and gradually assert Phu Quoc as the new aviation-tourism connection center of the region.