Vietnam expected to double air traffic over next 10 years

Dave Schulte, Boeing's managing director in Asia-Pacific, at the press conference on April 24

With passenger air traffic in Southeast Asia projected to grow more than 7 per cent annually, Vietnam remains central to this growth with annual expansion of over 8 per cent, the highest rate across the region.

Air traffic in Vietnam is expected to double over the next 10 years, growing to more than 75 million annual passengers, the report said. The number of passengers travelling to, from, and within Vietnam is expected to double over the next decade. Of this, the top markets to and from Vietnam will be South Korea, China, Thailand, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, and Japan.

Asia-Pacific airlines account for 35 per cent of global air cargo traffic. Of this, Vietnam air cargo is expected to see a 350 per cent increase in export value per tonne over the next decade, and 10 per cent annual e-commerce growth.

Southeast Asia’s air cargo market is likely to need more than 120 freighters by 2043, the outlook noted.

Aviation contributes significantly to Vietnam’s economy, including 2.5 million jobs and $18 billion in GDP contributions, by direct, indirect, induced ways, and tourism.

New aeroplanes will deliver an immediate boost to the country’s connectivity and economic growth. Airlines across Southeast Asia will need 4,720 new planes over the next 20 years, with single-aisle jets comprising 80 per cent of projected deliveries, the outlook reported.

The wider Asia-Pacific region will account for approximately one-third of global freighter deliveries through 2043.

Boeing provides more than 90 per cent of worldwide dedicated freighter capacity, including new production and converted planes.

The projected rise in aeroplane demand will also increase the need for aviation industry talent like pilots, engineers, and ground personnel, creating jobs in Vietnam and the Southeast Asia region. Southeast Asia operators are expected to need to hire and train 234,000 new pilots, maintenance technicians, and cabin crew, more than tripling the region’s active personnel.

2025 marks Boeing’s 30^th year of partnership with Vietnam, which began in 1995 when Vietnam Airlines leased three Boeing 767-300ERs. The first business transaction between Vietnam and the US, under a historic bilateral trade agreement, was Vietnam Airlines’ purchase of four Boeing 777-200ERs in 2001.

Vietnam Airlines currently operates 11 Boeing 787-9s and 6 787-10s, serving international routes between Vietnam and Europe, as well as domestic and regional routes. In 2023, Vietnam Airlines signed a proposal to purchase 50 Boeing 737 MAX planes.

Vietjet, a privately held airline currently holding the largest market share in Vietnam, has 200 737 MAX aircraft on order to support its growth plans in Asia.

Today, Boeing’s presence in Vietnam covers commercial aviation, defence, supply chain, technical training, university collaborations, and community impact initiatives. Boeing has a corporate office in Hanoi, along with field service offices in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

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Boeing urged to explore more investment opportunities in Vietnam Vietnam's Party General Secretary and President To Lam has urged Boeing to explore investment opportunities in Vietnam, specifically in establishing aircraft component manufacturing facilities and a regional-scale maintenance centre connected to the country’s major airports.