ArrowArtboardCreated with Sketch.Title ChevronTitle ChevronIcon FacebookIcon LinkedinIcon Mail ContactPath LayerIcon MailPositive ArrowIcon Print
AirAsia is entering a market where the skies are already crowded with key players, including the ambitious budget carrier Vietjet.   © Reuters
Company in focus

AirAsia set to meet its match in Vietnam's Vietjet

Low cost-carrier drives growth by copying from Southeast Asia's budget pioneer

CK TAN, Nikkei staff writer | Vietnam

KUALA LUMPUR -- Three times Tony Fernandes has tried to take AirAsia Group into Vietnam, one of Southeast Asia's fastest growing aviation markets. Three times he has failed. Now, the unstoppable head of the region's first and largest low-cost carrier is going for a fourth attempt.

But he may have met his match in Vietnam's Vietjet Aviation, which in just seven years has snapped up 45% of the local market, largely by imitating -- and sometimes topping -- AirAsia's brash, confident business model.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored Content This content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.

Discover the all new Nikkei Asia app

  • Take your reading anywhere with offline reading functions
  • Never miss a story with breaking news alerts
  • Customize your reading experience

Nikkei Asian Review, now known as Nikkei Asia, will be the voice of the Asian Century.

Celebrate our next chapter
Free access for everyone - Sep. 30

Find out more