Vietjet seeks deeper engagement in Vietnam's aviation infrastructure development

Vietjet, Vietnam’s first private airline, has proposed earlier and broader participation in Vietnam’s airport planning and infrastructure development, as the budget carrier looks to expand its role beyond flight operations into ground services and logistics.

The proposal was presented at a Tuesday meeting chaired by Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh, convened to review conclusions by the Government’s Standing Committee on Vietjet’s recommendations.

The airline said it wants to work more closely with regulators, local governments, the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) to engage “earlier and more deeply” in airport planning.

Vietjet is also seeking conditions to develop ground handling, technical and logistics services, aiming to ensure safe, efficient and sustainable operations while meeting international passenger service standards.

At Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietjet said it will coordinate with authorities to develop the 2021-2030 master plan with a vision to 2050, following guidance in an April 24 document from the Ministry of Construction. The airline proposed greater involvement from the municipal People’s Committee to ensure alignment and efficiency.

It is willing to co-finance planning work with ACV, the airline stated, asking for longer-term leases for parts of the airport’s Terminal T1 to allow upgrades and more stable operations.

At Long Thanh International Airport in Dong Nai province, which borders HCMC, Vietjet and Vietnam’s private conglomerate Sovico Group proposed investing in key facilities such as maintenance zones and logistics warehouses, aiming to build a modern and integrated operation system.

For Hanoi-based Noi Bai International Airport, the airline called for early adjustments to planning to make it aligned with Gia Binh International Airport in neighboring Bac Ninh province, and the addition of urban rail links to create a more integrated long-term transport network.

Vietjet also proposed working with local authorities to develop Tho Xuan airport in Thanh Hoa province and Chu Lai airport in Danang city alongside logistics centers and aviation industry hubs.

In response, Minister Minh said the proposals would be reviewed to ensure alignment with existing plans, operational safety and service quality, while avoiding inefficient or fragmented investment. He emphasized the need for transparent investment models, fair competition and balanced interests among the state, operators and investors.

The Government has already issued conclusions on Vietjet’s proposals, and relevant agencies have been instructed to implement them on schedule, he noted. Accordingly, ACV has been asked to finalize revised planning documents for Tan Son Nhat and Noi Bai by May 30, with appraisals targeted for completion by June 20.

The minister described Vietjet’s request for longer-term leasing at Tan Son Nhat airport’s Terminal T1 as “legitimate” and urged the airline and ACV to reach a mutually beneficial arrangement.

For Long Thanh, key service infrastructure items will be included in a phase-two feasibility study due for approval by mid-June, with construction to follow ahead of the airport’s operation.

At Chu Lai and Tho Xuan, Vietjet will work directly with local governments to determine investment structures, while coordinating with ACV on planning and procedures, Minh said.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has been tasked with working with ACV to upgrade Danang International Airport in line with approved plans.

From Vietnam’s first private airline, Vietjet has grown into a multinational aviation group, operating across Vietnam, Thailand and Kazakhstan, with a fleet of more than 130 aircraft and orders for 576 next-generation planes.

In 2025, Vietjet carried 28.2 million passengers and reported revenue of VND82 trillion ($3.11 billion). The carrier contributed more than VND10 trillion ($379.4 million) to the state budget through direct and indirect payments, while helping project an image of a globally integrated, dynamic and sustainable Vietnam across international skies.