Property major Sun Group licensed to launch luxury airline

Sun Group, one of Vietnam’s top real estate developers, on Wednesday was licensed to launch a new carrier named Sun Air, aiming to become a global private jet supplier.

Under the licence granted by the Ministry of Transport, the Vietnamese carrier will provide personalised and specialised high-class flight services, including private aircraft management services, private jet charter and sightseeing tours by helicopers and seaplanes.

Sun Air is set to make its debut in May, according to a corporate release.

It targets high-paying elite customers such as businessmen, individuals, domestic and foreign organizations, project surveys, sightseeing, tourism and luxury resorts.

In the private charter segment, Sun Air will operate two Gulfstream G650ER business jets from the third quarter of 2022. In the period of 2023-2025, four Gulfstream G650ER, a Gulfstream G700, a helicopter and two seaplanes are expected to enter the service.

Currently, Gulfstream G650ER and Gulfstream G700 are both fast-flying, high-altitude and far-reaching jets, with a height of up to 51,000ft, a range of up to 7,500 nautical miles and a speed of 0.925 Mach (1,142 km/h).

In particular, the Gulfstream G650ER has a capacity of 17 seated passengers or 6-8 sleeping passengers, while the Gulfstream G700 can carry up to 21 passengers or offer equiped beds for 10 people.

Notably, these aircrafts provide 100% fresh air, low cabin pressure even at maximum altitudes, quietest cabin in the commercial aviation, as well as comfortable experiences with no fatigue, tinnitus or dizziness like conventional planes.

In the future, the Sun Group airline aims to operate more aircraft of the highest class in the business jets family, which are likened to “flying palaces”. These are ultra-large and ultra-long range aircraft such as the Boeing BBJ and the Airbus ACJ.

In the tourism by helicopters and seaplanes segment, Sun Air is working with a number of famous brands such as Agusta, Airbus, Sikorsky or De Havilland Canada, Cessna - an aircraft manufacturer under the US Textron Group.

“The launch of Sun Air is completely within the sustainable development roadmap of Sun Group. Sun Air will not only be an addition to Sun Group’s ecosystem, but also open up the luxury segment in Vietnam's aviation industry - a potential field in many wealthy countries in the world,” said Dang Minh Truong, Chairman of the group.

Global demand for private charter services and tourism by helicopters and seaplanes has been rising on concerns over the Covid-19 pandemic.

A report by ARGUS International, a US-based specialised aviation services company, shows that the private aviation is recovering faster than many industries, with private jet charter growing 15% compared to the pre-pandemic period.

Sun Group is one of the most well-known private companies in Vietnam, with core brands being entertainment services Sun World, resort hotels Sun Hospitality Group, luxury resort real estate Sun Property, as well as modern infrastructure such as Van Don International Airport and Ha Long International Cruise Port. Van Don, invested by the group, is the first private airport in Vietnam.

As of December 31, 2021, six companies were licensed to run air transportation business in Vietnam, namely Vietnam Airlines, Pacific Airlines, VASCO, Vietjet, Bamboo Airways, and Vietravel Airlines. In addition, four others were licensed to run general aviation business: Sao Viet Dual-Use Aviation Joint Stock Company, Green Planet Aviation Joint Stock Company, Vietnam Helicopter Corporation and Hai Au Aviation Joint Stock Company.