As Indian outbound travel continues to expand across leisure and premium segments, global airlines are strengthening local partnerships to capture demand more effectively. Sun PhuQuoc Airways’ appointment of Minar Travels reflects a focused strategy to build distribution strength and accelerate market penetration in India.
Sun PhuQuoc Airways (SPA) has appointed Minar Travels (India) Pvt Ltd as its General Sales Agent (GSA) in India, marking a strategic step to expand its footprint in one of the world’s fastest-growing outbound travel markets. The partnership aims to strengthen the airline’s commercial presence and distribution network in the South Asian region.
India has emerged as a key source market for international travel, particularly across leisure, MICE, and premium segments, which align closely with SPA’s service positioning. Rather than pursuing rapid scale, the airline is prioritising a structured commercial approach through collaboration with an experienced local partner.
Strengthening distribution and market reach
With over 30 years of experience, Minar Travels will manage all commercial operations for SPA in India. This includes passenger revenue development, expansion of the distribution network, marketing initiatives, and engagement with travel agencies, online travel agencies, and corporate clients.
Establishing a GSA presence is expected to accelerate market entry while leveraging local consumer insights and an established partner ecosystem. The move is designed to ensure long-term operational efficiency and strengthen SPA’s commercial foundation in India.
In addition to distribution, SPA operates a full-service carrier model across its network. The airline offers bundled services including meals, standard checked baggage, and a Business Class cabin with private space, priority services, and premium amenities. This positioning enables it to target mid-to-high-end travellers between India and Vietnam.
Phu Quoc is gaining popularity among Indian travellers due to its natural landscapes, luxury resorts, and entertainment offerings. The destination also offers a 30-day visa-free policy for international visitors, providing a competitive advantage within the region.
Expansion strategy and network growth
The partnership also aims to tap into India’s growing outbound travel demand by building a structured distribution platform. This is considered critical to effectively capturing passenger traffic from one of the largest outbound markets globally.
Shallin Magoo, Senior Vice President – Aviation & Airline Relations, Minar Travels, said the company will focus on optimising the distribution system and expanding market coverage, with the expectation of delivering positive commercial results for Sun PhuQuoc Airways in India.
As part of the Sun Group ecosystem, Sun PhuQuoc Airways operates a hub-and-spoke model with Phu Quoc as its central hub, integrated with the island’s tourism, resort, and entertainment ecosystem. The airline has demonstrated strong operational performance, including high on-time performance, while continuing to expand its fleet and international network.
In February 2026, the airline signed a contract to purchase 40 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft valued at $22.5 bn, marking the largest wide-body aircraft order in Vietnamese aviation. This move supports its long-term expansion strategy and focus on key international markets.
The appointment of Minar Travels as GSA in India, alongside fleet expansion and network growth, underscores SPA’s structured approach to scaling its international presence and enhancing connectivity to Phu Quoc.
Rahul Bhadana is a digital editor at TravTalk with experience spanning multiple content niches, with a strong focus on travel trade journalism and digital publishing. A graduate of Delhi University, his work covers editorial writing, content strategy and platform-led storytelling, supporting TravTalk’s digital growth and industry engagement. A technology enthusiast, he enjoys films, poetry and exploring new ideas across media and culture.