{"id":4552,"date":"2026-08-12T17:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-12T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vietnam-gift.com\/?post_type=news&p=4552"},"modified":"2026-08-12T17:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-08-12T08:00:00","slug":"phuquoc-flight-surge","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/vietnam-gift.com\/en\/news\/phuquoc-flight-surge\/","title":{"rendered":"Phu Quoc adds 8,500 flights in 7 months \u2014 why it's getting easier to reach the island from Japan"},"content":{"rendered":"

The number of flights to Phu Quoc, an island at Vietnam's southern tip, grew by over 8,500 in just seven months, from January to July 2026. Takeoffs and landings reached 27,919, a roughly 44% increase year on year. For travelers, the meaning is simple: both the number of flights to the island and the range of destinations have expanded together. Behind this is airport expansion ahead of the APEC Leaders' Meeting to be held on Phu Quoc in 2027. Here's what's changing for trips from Japan, organized around the numbers that have been confirmed.<\/p>\n

8,500 more flights in 7 months, 27,919 takeoffs and landings \u2014 how much wider booking availability has become<\/h2>\n

According to operator Sun Group, Phu Quoc International Airport recorded 27,919 takeoffs and landings from January to July 2026, up more than 8,500 from the same period the previous year, an increase of about 44%. When flight numbers rise by over 40%, daily departures on the same routes increase too, making it easier to find seats that used to sell out. That means more room to keep the island on your list even during peak booking periods like long weekends and the year-end holidays.<\/p>\n

Phu Quoc is an island where e-visas and visa exemption on arrival are available, making it well suited to short beach-and-resort getaways. The rise in flight numbers directly boosts how realistic those \"just a few days on the southern island\" trips have become.<\/p>\n

Sun Group's first year running the airport: 4.48 million passengers, up 38% year on year \u2014 what's behind the number<\/h2>\n

Sun Group took over airport operations on January 1, 2026. Since then, passenger numbers have kept setting records, with the January\u2013July total topping 4.48 million \u2014 up about 38% year on year. The fact that flight growth (44%) is running slightly ahead of passenger growth (38%) suggests new capacity is still being rolled out. As seats fill up further, congestion may increase, but fares could also be supported. From a traveler's standpoint, it's easier to secure a seat now, before the routes settle into their final shape.<\/p>\n

New 3,300m second runway handles the B787 and A350, laying the groundwork for direct flights from Japan<\/h2>\n

Behind this rise in flight numbers is the second runway, completed in about eight months. At 3,300 meters long and 45 meters wide, it meets ICAO Code E (4E) standards and can handle large wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 787, Airbus A350, and Boeing 777. Accommodating aircraft of this size is the foundation needed for longer international routes such as Japan\u2013Phu Quoc.<\/p>\n

Phu Quoc's second runway just completed its calibration flights in July \u2014 for details, seePhu Quoc's 3,300m second runway completes calibration flights, clearing the way for B787 service<\/a>\u2014 that's covered there. Terminal 2, the passenger terminal, is also about 90% complete structurally, with interior fit-out at around 30%. Once both come online, capacity will take another step up. Direct flights from Japan haven't been announced yet, but the aircraft and runway groundwork is steadily falling into place.<\/p>\n

Toward 20 million passengers a year \u2014 next up: APEC 2027 and hosting 21 economies<\/h2>\n

The total investment in the expansion is 22 trillion dong (about US$846 million, or roughly 127 billion yen at 1 USD \u2248 150 yen). The goal is 20 million passengers a year starting in 2027, with a second phase targeting 50 million a year. The aim is clear: to upgrade the airport so it can receive official and commercial aircraft from all 21 APEC member economies in time for APEC Leaders' Week in 2027. The airport is also introducing biometric systems, including facial-recognition gates, to speed up procedures.<\/p>\n

This isn't just about the airport. Large hotels are also being built on the island ahead of APEC,Groundbreaking for two mega-hotels adding 12,000 rooms combined<\/a>\u2014 moving in step with it. As access and accommodation both expand at once, Phu Quoc around 2027 is likely to see oversupply, which works in travelers' favor: more hotels and more flights to choose from.<\/p>\n

What Japanese travelers should know right now<\/h2>\n

As of now, there are no direct flights from Japan, so getting to Phu Quoc still means connecting through a domestic flight from Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi. The real benefit of more flights is that these connecting slots are easier to book. Building in some buffer time for the connection makes it realistic to reach the island the same day.<\/p>\n