Vietnam’s airlines are expanding fleets and capacity amid rising travel demand for summer 2026, despite global aircraft shortages. Vietnam Airlines is leasing additional aircraft to bolster domestic services and enhance international routes. Other carriers, including Sun PhuQuoc Airways and Vietravel Airlines, are also increasing their fleets and expanding operations to meet demand.
Vietnam’s airlines are expanding their fleets and increasing flight capacity to meet surging travel demand during the 2026 summer peak, despite ongoing global aircraft supply constraints.
Vietnam Airlines announced it will lease two Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft from June 26 to mid-July, adding nearly 23,000 seats per month to its network.
The additional aircraft will be deployed on high-demand domestic routes, including Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh City and services connecting Hue, Da Nang, Quy Nhon, and Nha Trang.
During the summer travel period, which runs through August 16, Vietnam Airlines Group plans to operate 28,300 domestic flights, offering nearly 5.5 million seats, an increase of 5% in flight frequency and 3% in seat capacity compared with the same period last year.
The national carrier is also continuing to expand its international network with new direct services connecting Hanoi-Amsterdam, Ho Chi Minh City-Phuket, and Ho Chi Minh City-Colombo.
Meanwhile, Sun PhuQuoc Airways, a subsidiary of Sun Group, received an Airbus A320neo on Tuesday, increasing its fleet to 11 aircraft.
The airline plans to add another 15 Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft by the end of August, bringing its total fleet to 26 aircraft.
The expanded fleet will support higher flight frequencies and new services linking Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Phu Quoc with destinations including Cam Ranh, Hai Phong, Da Lat, Buon Ma Thuot, Can Tho, Incheon, and Chengdu.
Vietravel Airlines has also accelerated its expansion, introducing its fourth owned aircraft – an Airbus A321 with 230 seats.
The carrier aims to add seven more aircraft during the second half of 2026 while expanding both scheduled and charter operations.
In addition to strengthening its domestic network, Vietravel Airlines plans to launch a Ho Chi Minh City-Shenzhen route, continue services between Hanoi and Macau, and operate additional charter flights to China.
The fleet expansion comes as airlines worldwide continue to face aircraft delivery delays and supply shortages. Despite these challenges, Vietnam’s carriers are moving aggressively to strengthen capacity and capture growing tourism demand across both domestic and international markets.
Australian Hospitality Alumni Network Vietnam 