Despite volatile fuel prices, geopolitical tensions, and supply chain disruptions globally, Vietnam’s aviation sector posted double-digit growth over the first nine months of the year and is projected to expand by 13% for the full year, according to the Government News.
During the first nine months of 2026, domestic airlines carried approximately 70.5 million passengers, representing a 12.6% increase compared to the same period last year.
According to a report submitted to the Ministry of Construction by the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) assessing the aviation market during the 9-month period, air freight volume reached roughly 1.3 million metric tons, up 13% year-on-year.
Growth was especially pronounced during peak holiday travel periods. Over the National Day holiday (August 29 to September 2), airlines handled approximately 1.2 million passengers across 11,600 flight departures and arrivals—up 10.4% and 13.6%, respectively, over the same period in 2025.
Alongside rising travel demand, Vietnamese carriers have continued expanding their aircraft fleets through leasing and purchasing. Vietjet, Sun PhuQuoc Airways, and Vietravel Airlines all have fleet expansion plans underway to bolster operating capacity and meet market demand.
The CAAV has also ramped up support measures for carriers, spanning the issuance and renewal of air transport business licenses, facilitating aircraft purchases and leases, granting flight permits, and coordinating airport landing and takeoff slot allocations.
International aviation cooperation with partners including ASEAN–UK, India, Canada, Russia, and Turkey has continued to broaden, unlocking further opportunities to develop international flight networks.
Building on this current momentum, the CAAV forecasts that the market will reach roughly 94 million passengers and over 1.6 million metric tons of cargo for the full year 2026, marking gains of 13% and 9.3%, respectively, compared to 2025.
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