Phu Quoc International Airport adds SITA tech

Phu Quoc International Airport operator Sun Group said it has partnered with SITA to add SITA technology to its operations. Phu Quoc International Airport is projected to handle 24 million passengers annually once the new Terminal 2 opens, with long-term capacity designed to scale to 50 million. Under the Phu Quoc project, SITA will deploy an end-to-end suite of airport technologies across the new terminal, delivering a fully self-service passenger experience. Travelers will be able to check in, select seats, print boarding passes and bag tags, drop their luggage, and board their flights through automated touchpoints. The new terminal will feature SITA Flex Hybrid, supporting 204 common-use workstations for passenger processing. To secure operational resilience, SITA Local Departure Control System (DCS) will be deployed as a backup. Passengers will use 150 SITA Smart Path kiosks for check-in, seat selection, boarding pass printing, and tagging check-in bags, 100 SITA Smart Path Bag Drop (Scan & Go) units for self-service baggage drop, and 38 dual-lane SITA Smart Path Gates for automated boarding. All systems are coordinated through the SITA Smart Path Hub biometric technology. Real-time baggage tracking and reconciliation will be delivered through SITA Bag Manager Lite, supporting four baggage workstations and 20 handheld terminals. Airport operations will be powered by SITA Airport Operational Database (AODB), while passenger information will be managed by SITA AirportVision Evolved, covering 397 displays. Overall airport operations will be overseen by SITA Airport Management, supporting ten operational workstations. The project, which began development in March 2026, is scheduled to open in July 2027. “We are pleased to partner with SITA on this strategic collaboration to support the transformation of our airport portfolio. As we continue to invest in world-class aviation infrastructure, SITA’s proven expertise and end-to-end technology capabilities will play a key role in helping us deliver smarter, more efficient, and seamless passenger experiences,” said Nguyen Chi Thanh, President, Sun Group. “This partnership reflects our shared vision of elevating Vietnam’s aviation sector, and we look forward to working closely with SITA to bring innovative, future-ready solutions to Phu Quoc and our upcoming airport developments.” The partnership extends beyond a single terminal. Sun Group has designated SITA as a key strategic technology partner for its broader airport transformation initiative in Vietnam. The operating model established at Phu Quoc will serve as a template for future developments, including Phan Thiet Airport and planned projects in Con Dao and Rach Gia. Over the next five years, Sun Group aims to expand its airport footprint to at least five locations across Vietnam, with each targeting the 5-Star Skytrax standard. “Vietnam is one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the region, and this partnership with Sun Group marks a key milestone in supporting that growth with future-ready infrastructure. By bringing together SITA’s end-to-end airport technologies, we are delivering smarter, more efficient, and scalable airport operations,” added Sumesh Patel, President, Asia Pacific at SITA. “As Phu Quoc evolves into a key aviation hub ahead of APEC 2027, we are proud to support Sun Group’s vision of delivering world-class passenger experiences while strengthening connectivity across Vietnam.” Phu Quoc International Airport will be operated in partnership with Singapore’s Changi Airports International, bringing internationally recognised standards to what is fast becoming a major leisure destination. The airport upgrade forms part of a broader effort to integrate aviation with Sun Group’s tourism and hospitality ecosystem on the island, which includes luxury resorts, entertainment destinations, and Sun Phu Quoc Airways, launched in November 2025. Smiths Detection wins certification for AI‑driven cabin baggage screening Smiths Detection has secured ECAC (European Civil Aviation Conference) certification for its iCMORE APIDS (Automated Prohibited Items Detection System), approved for deployment with the HI‑SCAN 6040 CTiX. The approval confirms compliance with ECAC/EU APIDS Standard 1 performance requirements, officially enabling automated prohibited items detection at airport security checkpoints. For airports seeking to increase throughput while keeping pace with more demanding regulatory requirements, this approval marks a clear step towards automation at scale. Integrated directly into the HI‑SCAN 6040 CTiX, Smiths Detection’s CT system for cabin baggage screening, iCMORE APIDS uses AI‑driven algorithms to deliver true alarm‑only viewing. By automatically flagging defined prohibited items, it enables operators to bypass routine image review and focus only on bags that require intervention. Image review is reduced significantly, supporting faster passenger flow while maintaining the highest security standards. Cymoril Métivier, Global Digital Portfolio Director at Smiths Detection, said: “This ECAC approval is a turning point for checkpoint operations. Automated prohibited items detection has moved from concept to certified reality. Airports need solutions that deliver speed, consistency and regulatory confidence, and iCMORE APIDS does exactly that. It automates routine detection tasks, allowing security officers to focus their attention where it matters most.” The ECAC certification follows earlier national approvals in the Netherlands and Germany, highlighting growing regulatory confidence in AI‑driven automation for checkpoint screening across Europe. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Sally Passey at [email protected]