A new airline, Crystal Bay Airlines, will start flying in Vietnam with three Airbus A321 jets. The airline is backed by the Crystal Bay Tourism Group and it will not fly domestic routes. Instead, it will focus on bringing international tourists into the country on charter flights.
Targeting Tourists, Not Locals
Crystal Bay becomes the latest player in Vietnam’s busy aviation sector. It joins other smaller carriers like Bamboo Airways, Vietravel Airlines, Sun PhuQuoc Airways. Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air still dominate, holding 90% of the market. But the total number of passengers in Vietnam reached 83.5 million last year, with strong growth expected to continue.
The airline’s General Director, Bui Tuong Chi, told local media about the plan. Crystal Bay Airlines will bring tourists from places like Russia, Central Asia, and Northeast Asia to Vietnamese holiday spots. It aims to carry about 400,000 passengers a year. The airline will work with other local carriers to connect these tourists to their final destinations within Vietnam.
A New ‘Hybrid-Leisure’ Model
The airline chose the Airbus A321, the largest jet in the A320 family. This aircraft is a common choice for airlines worldwide due to its low seat-mile costs and ability to carry up to 185 passengers in a standard layout, making it efficient for short and medium-haul routes. Crystal Bay will use the jets as part of a new ‘hybrid-leisure’ model.
General Director, Bui Tuong Chi, stated:
“Our plan is to sell holiday packages, not just seats,”
Ticket sales will make up less than half of the airline’s money. Most revenue will come from the full travel packages sold by its parent tourism group. This helps the airline earn money even when travel demand is low.
Crystal Bay Airlines was set up in November 2025. The airline has a charter capital of ₫300 billion ($11.4 million) and plans to grow its fleet to ten aircraft. It is the second new airline in Vietnam started by a tourism company, after Sun PhuQuoc Airways launched last year.
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