Amid the vibrant atmosphere of the early-year peak season, air traffic to Da Nang is forecast to see strong growth, further reinforcing the city’s role as a key tourism gateway of the Central region and the nation. The outlook also highlights Da Nang’s continued appeal to both domestic and international visitors during the Lunar New Year holiday.
As Da Nang enters 2026 amid a new phase of transformation in its tourism development, aviation continues to play a pivotal role in connecting visitor flows, enhancing destination accessibility, and generating spillover momentum for the broader tourism and service sectors. The Lunar New Year (Binh Ngo) holiday in 2026 is regarded as a key peak period, clearly reflecting Da Nang’s destination appeal as well as the growing effectiveness of its increasingly comprehensive aviation network.
According to information from Da Nang International Airport, Chu Lai Airport, and the Da Nang International Terminal Investment and Operation Joint Stock Company, during the period from 14 to 22 February 2026 (from the 27th day of the lunar year to the 6th day of the Lunar New Year, spanning nine days), the total number of arrivals and departures to and from Da Nang is estimated at more than 1,500 flights—an increase of approximately 37.8% compared to the 2025 Lunar New Year holiday. Average flight operations are expected to reach around 175 flights per day, indicating a strong rise in demand for travel, tourism, and family visits during the holiday period.
Of the total, domestic flights are projected to account for 847 flights, up about 30% year on year, with an average of 94 flights per day and an estimated 130,000 passengers served. International flights, meanwhile, are expected to reach 732 flights, marking a year-on-year increase of approximately 47%, with an average of 81 flights per day. These flights are projected to welcome around 128,000 international visitors to Da Nang during the Lunar New Year holiday.
Aviation activities in 2025 – Laying the foundation for growth momentum
The growth recorded during the Lunar New Year (Binh Ngo) holiday in 2026 is built upon the expanding scale and improved operational efficiency of Da Nang’s aviation sector throughout 2025. In total, more than 48,000 domestic and international flights operated to and from Da Nang International Airport and Chu Lai Airport in 2025, representing a 12.8% increase compared to 2024 and reflecting the steady expansion of the air transport market.
At the same time, total air passenger arrivals to Da Nang in 2025 reached over 7.9 million, up nearly 13% year on year. Notably, international passenger traffic through the international terminal exceeded 3.3 million arrivals, while domestic passengers travelling via Da Nang and Chu Lai airports surpassed 4.5 million. This balanced growth across both market segments has created favourable conditions for upcoming peak tourism seasons.
Alongside rising traffic volumes, Da Nang’s air route network in 2025 continued to expand and diversify with the launch of new international routes and the resumption of previously suspended services. New connections included routes linking Da Nang with Yangon (Myanmar) operated by Myanmar Airways; Dubai – Bangkok – Da Nang by Emirates; Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) by Vietjet Air; Bangkok (Thailand) and Osaka (Japan) by Vietnam Airlines; Shenzhen (China); as well as three long-term charter routes from Astana and Almaty (Kazakhstan) operated by Vietjet Air, SCAT Airlines, and Air Astana; and Tashkent (Uzbekistan) by Qanot Sharq. These routes have significantly broadened market reach, enhanced destination accessibility, and strengthened Da Nang’s tourism competitiveness on the regional map.
In parallel, the entry of several new airlines in 2025—including Myanmar Airways, Philippine Airlines, Emirates Airlines, Scoot Airlines, and Parata Air—not only increased transport capacity but also provided fresh momentum for international visitor growth, particularly during peak travel periods, public holidays, and major festive seasons.
From the New Year holiday to early 2026 growth momentum
Aviation activity to Da Nang recorded clear growth momentum extending from December 2025 through January 2026, with the peak occurring during the New Year holiday, marked by welcoming the first visitors of the year at Da Nang International Airport and Chu Lai Airport. The vibrant early-year atmosphere helped project the image of a dynamic Da Nang while laying a solid foundation for the Lunar New Year (Binh Ngo) peak in 2026 and the broader early-year growth phase of the tourism sector.
According to data from Da Nang International Airport and Chu Lai Airport (updated as of 8 January 2026), in December 2025 alone, total domestic and international flights to Da Nang and Chu Lai exceeded 4,100 flights, an increase of 16.3% compared to the same period in 2024. These flights served more than 714,000 passengers, up 21.1% year on year. Average daily flight frequency reached approximately 133 flights, underscoring the strong rise in travel and tourism demand at year end.
Domestic operations accounted for more than 2,100 flights, serving over 368,000 passengers, with eight scheduled routes connecting Da Nang to major tourism and economic hubs across the country. On the international front, nearly 2,000 flights were operated, welcoming more than 346,000 passengers and maintaining 17 regular international routes to key markets in Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. Notably, long-term charter flights from Macau (China) operated by Bamboo Airways and Vietjet Air, along with charter services from Indonesia in late December 2025 and early January 2026, further enriched the diversity of international visitor flows to Da Nang.
Entering January 2026, the growth momentum continued, with the total number of domestic and international flights to Da Nang and Chu Lai estimated at approximately 4,500 flights—an increase of 15.4% compared to the same period in 2025. These flights are expected to serve more than 671,000 passengers, with an average frequency of around 145 flights per day. Notably, international flights are projected to reach nearly 2,100 services, continuing to play a key role in boosting visitor arrivals to the city in the period leading up to the Lunar New Year holiday.
Building on the stable growth recorded in the first two months of the year, Da Nang’s air route network is expected to continue expanding from March 2026. This includes the launch of regular Phu Quoc – Da Nang services operated by Sun Phuquoc Airways, along with the planned opening of the Bali (Indonesia) – Da Nang route by Indonesia AirAsia from 20 March 2026, with a frequency of four flights per week. These developments are considered key drivers in sustaining aviation growth and creating additional momentum for Da Nang’s tourism sector in the following months of 2026.
With high flight frequencies, an increasingly extensive air route network, and continued growth in international markets, Da Nang enters the 2026 Lunar New Year tourism season in a proactive and well-prepared position. The city continues to reinforce its image as a dynamic destination with convenient connectivity and strong appeal across the Central region and nationwide.
DANANG TOURISM PROMOTION CENTER
