Phu Quoc set to become a major Asia Pacific aviation hub with scalable, fully automated passenger processing

GENEVA – 21 April 2026 — Phu Quoc International Airport is set to become a next-generation, fully self-service aviation hub ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2027 Forum. Sun Group, one of Vietnam’s largest private conglomerates, has partnered with SITA to lead this transformation. To support Vietnam’s rapidly growing air travel demand, the parties have also signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a framework for broader collaboration across Sun Group’s future airport developments in Vietnam.

Phu Quoc International Airport is projected to handle 24 million passengers annually once the new Terminal 2 opens, with long-term capacity designed to scale to 50 million. The development comes at a pivotal moment and will place Phu Quoc in the global spotlight as a rising destination in the Asia Pacific region.

Phu Quoc set to become a major Asia Pacific aviation hub with scalable, fully automated passenger processing

Under the Phu Quoc project, SITA will deploy an end-to-end suite of airport technologies across the new terminal, delivering a fully self-service passenger experience. Travelers will be able to check in, select seats, print boarding passes and bag tags, drop their luggage, and board their flights through automated touchpoints.

The new terminal will feature SITA Flex Hybrid, supporting 204 common-use workstations for passenger processing. To secure operational resilience, SITA Local Departure Control System (DCS) will be deployed as a backup.

Passengers will use 150 SITA Smart Path kiosks for check-in, seat selection, boarding pass printing, and tagging check-in bags, 100 SITA Smart Path Bag Drop (Scan & Go) units for selfservice baggage drop, and 38 dual-lane SITA Smart Path Gates for automated boarding. All systems are seamlessly coordinated through the SITA Smart Path Hub biometric technology.

Real-time baggage tracking and reconciliation will be delivered through SITA Bag Manager Lite, supporting four baggage workstations and 20 handheld terminals. Airport operations will be powered by SITA Airport Operational Database (AODB), while passenger information will be managed by SITA AirportVision Evolved, covering 397 displays. Overall airport operations will be overseen by SITA Airport Management, supporting ten operational workstations.

The project, which began development in March 2026, is scheduled to open in July 2027.

“We are pleased to partner with SITA on this strategic collaboration to support the transformation of our airport portfolio. As we continue to invest in world-class aviation infrastructure, SITA’s proven expertise and end-to-end technology capabilities will play a key role in helping us deliver smarter, more efficient, and seamless passenger experiences,” said Mr. Nguyen Chi Thanh, President, Sun Group. “This partnership reflects our shared vision of elevating Vietnam’s aviation sector, and we look forward to working closely with SITA to bring innovative, future-ready solutions to Phu Quoc and our upcoming airport developments.”

The partnership extends beyond a single terminal. Sun Group has designated SITA as a key strategic technology partner for its broader airport transformation initiative in Vietnam. The operating model established at Phu Quoc will serve as a template for future developments, including Phan Thiet Airport and planned projects in Con Dao and Rach Gia. Over the next five years, Sun Group aims to expand its airport footprint to at least five locations across Vietnam, with each targeting the 5-Star Skytrax standard.

“Vietnam is one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the region, and this partnership with Sun Group marks a key milestone in supporting that growth with future-ready infrastructure. By bringing together SITA’s end-to-end airport technologies, we are delivering smarter, more efficient, and scalable airport operations,” added Sumesh Patel, President, Asia Pacific at SITA. “As Phu Quoc evolves into a key aviation hub ahead of APEC 2027, we are proud to support Sun Group’s vision of delivering world-class passenger experiences while strengthening connectivity across Vietnam.”

Phu Quoc International Airport will be operated in partnership with Singapore’s Changi Airports International, bringing internationally recognized standards to what is fast becoming a major leisure destination. The airport upgrade forms part of a broader effort to integrate aviation with Sun Group’s tourism and hospitality ecosystem on the island, which includes luxury resorts, entertainment destinations, and Sun Phu Quoc Airways, launched in November 2025.

SITA and Sun Group have worked together since 2019, when SITA first delivered airport technology solutions at Van Don Airport. This new agreement deepens that relationship and reflects a shared commitment to advancing air travel infrastructure in Vietnam.

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