VietJet pursues more domestic expansion and plans Seoul as second international destination

VietJet is pursuing further network expansion over the next few months as the carrier looks to cement its position as the leading low-cost carrier in the Vietnamese market. VietJet is adding three more domestic routes for a total of 14 and is also preparing to launch services to Seoul, which would be its second international destination after Bangkok.

VietJet overtook Jetstar Pacific as Vietnam's largest LCC less than one year after its 25-Dec-2011 launch. By its second-year anniversary at the end of 2013 the carrier will account for over 25% of capacity in the domestic market and have a fleet of 10 A320s - on both counts double the size of Jetstar Pacific.

But Jetstar Pacific is finally preparing a response as the Jetstar Group affiliate plans to launch international services by the end of 2013 and pursue domestic expansion. Jetstar Pacific and its majority owner Vietnam Airlines have done little so far to try to combat VietJet's rapid ascent. If VietJet continues to expand quickly a response is inevitable although VietJet could try to avoid a potential conflict by focusing more on expanding planned joint ventures in other Asian markets.