Aircraft manufacturer ATR studied the untapped potential for regional aviation in Vietnam’s growing travel market and economy.
The Franco-Italian company presented the findings of a comprehensive whitepaper, “Propelling Vietnam’s Regional Aviation”, a study conducted with Vietnamese transport consultancy TEDI (Transport Engineering Design Inc.).
The presentation, which took place during the “Unlocking Vietnam’s Regional Aviation” workshop in Hanoi on March 13, 2025, highlighted how regional aviation can enhance Vietnam’s connectivity by offering new, convenient travel options that complement existing transport infrastructure.
[🔵press release] 90% of Vietnam’s domestic air traffic is concentrated in just 10 airports. ATR and TEDI’s latest whitepaper shows how regional aviation can unlock new opportunities & better connectivity.
✈️ More efficient routes
🌍 Sustainable travel (-45% CO₂)
🏙️ Stronger… pic.twitter.com/52EXh2zR29— ATR (@ATRaircraft) March 13, 2025
According to the study, 90% of Vietnam’s domestic air traffic is currently concentrated at just 10 of the country’s 22 airports, leaving many regional airports underutilized. At the same time, 25% of domestic flights cover distances under 300 nautical miles (555 kilometres) but are operated by larger aircraft, which limits efficiency in terms of cost and frequency.
“Regional aviation has the potential to significantly enhance connectivity across Vietnam. By complementing surface-based transport, it can improve mobility, strengthen a network of secondary cities, and ensure that more communities benefit from Vietnam’s economic growth. Additionally, it will optimize the utilisation of existing regional airports,” Jean-Pierre Clercin, Head of Region Asia Pacific at ATR said in a statement.
Vietnam’s aviation sector is experiencing rapid growth, with domestic air travel projected to grow, in the period 2023-2027, by over 20%.
According to ATR, this demand necessitates a “more robust and interconnected air transport network.”
“The government’s plan to expand the network of approved commercial airports to 30 from 22 by 2030, further underscores the critical role of regional aviation in connecting communities and unlocking the country’s full economic potential,” ATR said.
With this, the regional aircraft manufacturer suggests that 25 ATR 72-600 is “necessary” to effectively connect 87 unserved domestic routes within 300NM in Vietnam.
In October 2024, ATR released a series of video campaigns showing the impact of regional air connectivity on local communities and industries across Indonesia, another Southeast Asian country made up of over 17,000 islands.
The videos, which included personal testimonies from locals, showed that air travel is necessary for the mobility of both people and goods in the region.
