Vietnam's Sun PhuQuoc Airways has engaged payments group 2C2P, via local partner M-PAY, to expand the payment methods available at its online booking checkout as it prepares to sell to customers in more Asian markets.
The arrangement covers technical services for the airline's eCommerce payments in Vietnam. Access for customers in China, Malaysia, India, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand is still in development.
Sun PhuQuoc Airways is positioned as Vietnam's first airline built around a "resort-in-the-sky" travel model. It is part of the wider Sun Group tourism ecosystem, which has been expanding resort and leisure assets in Vietnam, including on Phu Quoc island.
Checkout focus
Airlines across Asia are working to capture rising demand after the pandemic, with growing attention on conversion at checkout. Payment acceptance has become more complex as cross-border travel increases, and consumers use a mix of cards, wallets and QR-based methods that vary by market.
The airline will use a payment orchestration product called Payment Air Controller (PACO). M-PAY will provide the product, while 2C2P supplies technical services. 2C2P is part of Ant International's Antom business in Southeast Asia and is headquartered in Singapore.
The setup expands the range of payment methods for customers booking flights online in Vietnam, including cards, digital wallets and QR payments. Examples include Alipay, LinePay, Octopus, Touch 'n Go and WeChat Pay, as well as PayNow in Singapore and PromptPay in Thailand. It also includes direct-debit options such as Korea Cyber Payment.
Single integration
Payment orchestration platforms typically sit between a merchant and multiple payment partners. They can simplify integration work and route transactions across different acquirers.
With PACO, Sun PhuQuoc Airways can connect through a single API and route payments to different acquirers. The system also includes retry logic that re-attempts failed transactions under defined rules.
Payment security and compliance remain central concerns for online travel sellers, given high fraud exposure and large transaction values. PACO is PCI DSS Level 1-certified, a widely used benchmark for payment card data security.
The platform also connects with global distribution systems used by travel agencies and corporate travel sellers, including Amadeus and Sabre.
Travel recovery
Industry data cited in the announcement points to continued travel growth into Southeast Asia. A "2H 2025 Strategy & Investment Outlook Report" by Velocity Ventures, in partnership with Pear Anderson, put Southeast Asia travel revenue up 18% year on year to USD $860 million.
Vietnam was cited as a strong performer in the region, with international arrivals in March described as 46% above 2019 levels.
As airlines add routes, they often need to sell beyond their home markets. That shift can expose gaps in local payment coverage and reconciliation workflows, particularly when accepting a mix of domestic transfer schemes, wallet payments and international cards.
Research commissioned by 2C2P and Antom also forecasts further growth in digital payments. An IDC InfoBrief from 2025 projected expansion in digital payments for eCommerce in Vietnam by 2028.
For airlines, that trend can shape which payment options are prioritised at checkout. Wallet and QR-based methods can be especially important in parts of Asia where card usage is less dominant or where local schemes have reached scale.
Partners' view
2C2P's Group CEO said travellers increasingly expect booking experiences that match local norms in each market.
"Today's travellers expect instant and localised booking experiences. As the go-to solutions provider for airlines operating into and within Asia, we are excited to partner with M-PAY and Sun PhuQuoc Airways to introduce Phu Quoc to more Vietnamese and Asian travellers," said Worachat Luxkanalode, Group CEO, 2C2P.
The airline framed payments as part of a broader customer experience plan as it builds regional connectivity.
"We are delighted to partner with M-PAY and 2C2P to enhance convenience and accessibility for our customers across Vietnam and Asia. As Sun PhuQuoc Airways expands from Phu Quoc to key destinations in the region, seamless and localised payment experiences are essential to making travel easier and more intuitive. This collaboration is a key part of our commitment to delivering a connected 'resort-in-the-sky' journey. Together with our partners, we look forward to contributing to better customer experience and greater accessibility across the region," said Nguyen Manh Quan, CEO, Sun PhuQuoc Airways.
Payment access for additional Asian markets remains in the pipeline as the airline expands its online sales footprint beyond Vietnam.