SmartKargo to power Sun Phu Quoc Airways cargo push

SmartKargo has signed an agreement with Sun Phu Quoc Airways to provide the Vietnamese carrier with its cargo management platform, underpinning its cargo operations.

Sun Phu Quoc Airways plans to use the system as the foundation of a fully digital cargo business as it builds freight operations alongside its passenger network.

Launched by Sun Group, the airline is positioning cargo as a central part of its commercial strategy. It is expanding international routes from Phu Quoc and preparing to add Airbus A330 wide-body aircraft to its fleet, a move expected to increase bellyhold freight capacity on overseas services.

The expansion comes as Vietnam's air cargo market grows on the back of exports, eCommerce, and the country's role in regional manufacturing and logistics. As cargo volumes rise, airlines are seeking systems that can manage bookings, operations, and revenue on a single platform.

SmartKargo's software will give Sun Phu Quoc Airways end-to-end cargo management through a cloud-based system. The agreement also forms part of a wider digital transformation programme as the airline seeks to build an international full-service brand.

Growth plans

Sun Phu Quoc Airways has been building a network linking Vietnam with destinations across Asia, including Seoul, Taipei, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Bangkok. It has also outlined plans to expand into other markets in Asia and beyond.

The cargo agreement suggests the airline sees freight as more than a supplementary income stream from passenger aircraft. By putting a dedicated management system in place early, it aims to organise pricing, sales, and handling processes before volumes increase with network growth.

Technology suppliers have been competing to win airlines setting up new cargo divisions or replacing older systems. Cloud-based services have gained ground as carriers look for tools that can be deployed more quickly and adapted across stations without large in-house technology teams.

For SmartKargo, the agreement adds a Southeast Asian airline customer in a market that has become increasingly important for cargo operators. Vietnam has drawn particular attention as manufacturers diversify supply chains and online retail drives demand for faster cross-border delivery.

Truong Ngo Quoc, Chief Information Officer at Sun Phu Quoc Airways, outlined the airline's approach to cargo.

"We are building Sun Phu Quoc Airways' cargo business with a clear mandate: to be technology-led, commercially agile, and ready to scale. After a rigorous evaluation, SmartKargo stood out as the partner that could not only meet our requirements today but grow with us as our network and ambitions expand. Their platform gives us the digital infrastructure to compete on a regional and global stage, and we look forward to bringing a new standard of cargo excellence to Vietnam's aviation market," he said.

Regional market

The deal also reflects a broader shift among newer airlines to treat cargo as a planned business line rather than a secondary use of spare aircraft capacity. Wide-body aircraft can materially change that calculation because they offer more room for freight on long-haul and regional international services.

Phu Quoc's role in the airline's strategy is also notable. The island is better known as a tourism destination, but improved air links could help it develop as a gateway for goods moving into and out of southern Vietnam and nearby markets.

SmartKargo, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, serves airlines and parcel shippers and has offices in several international markets. The company has focused on air cargo and eCommerce logistics, areas where airlines are trying to capture a greater share of parcel flows that might otherwise move through integrators or surface networks.

Olivier Houri, Chief Revenue Officer at SmartKargo, linked the agreement to the region's cargo outlook.

"Southeast Asia represents one of the most dynamic and high-potential air cargo markets in the world, and Vietnam sits at the heart of that opportunity. We are proud to partner with Sun Phu Quoc Airways as it charts an ambitious course for its cargo business. This agreement is a testament to our shared belief that technology is the most powerful lever for building a cargo operation that is both commercially competitive and operationally excellent. We are committed to being the platform that powers its success," he said.