Air transport market forecast to grow 13 per cent in 2026 desspite fuel price volatility

Air transport market forecast to grow 13 per cent in 2026 desspite fuel price volatility

The sector is expected to handle about 94 million passengers and more than 1.6 million tonnes of cargo in 2026, representing 13 per cent and 9.3 per cent increases from 2025.

A view of Long Thành International Airport with construction for commercial operation scheduled in December. The domestic aviation market is forecast to grow 13 per cent this year. — VNA/VNS Photo Công Phong

The domestic aviation market is forecast to grow 13 per cent this year despite fuel price volatility, geopolitical tensions and global supply chain disruptions, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV)’s report.

The country's airlines carried an estimated 70.5 million passengers in the first nine months of 2026, up 12.6 per cent from the same period last year, while air cargo volume reached about 1.3 million tonnes, an increase of 13 per cent.

Vietnamese Airlines continue to expand their fleets through aircraft purchases and leases to meet rising demand. Vietjet, Sun PhuQuoc Airways and Vietravel Airlines are all planning to add aircraft, the authority said.

The sector is expected to handle about 94 million passengers and more than 1.6 million tonnes of cargo for the full year, representing 13 per cent and 9.3 per cent increases from 2025.

Alongside rising traffic, the expansion and reorganisation of aviation infrastructure is expected to create additional room for growth.

Long Thành International Airport is finalising plans for the division of operations and accelerating connections with expressways and railway networks. Construction of Gia Binh International Airport is being fast tracked. 

The CAAV said the development of multimodal transport and logistics hubs will reduce pressure on existing airports, help reorganise the transport network, and expand space for socio-economic development.

The authority stressed that digital transformation remains a key priority for the aviation sector. Eligible administrative procedures are being digitised, while the connection and sharing of population data and electronic identification through the VNeID platform at airports is helping shorten passenger processing times.

In air traffic management, Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation (VATM) is deploying System Wide Information Management (SWIM) and the Flight and Flow Information for a Collaborative Environment (FF-ICE) systems in line with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.

In the final three months of the year, the CAAV will focus on coordinating the 2026-27 winter flight schedules and adjusting operating parameters at key airports to meet higher demand at year-end and during the 2027 Tết (Lunar New Year) holidays.

The authority will also work to accelerate the launch of Long Thành Airport, finalise operating plans for Gia Bình Airport, support airlines in expanding their fleets and closely monitor fuel price developments, while encouraging carriers to maintain reasonable fares during peak periods.

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