VOV.VN - The Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) has proposed a roadmap to gradually transfer international flights from Tan Son Nhat Airport to Long Thanh Airport from late 2026, aiming for the new airport to handle more than 90% of international passengers in Ho Chi Minh City in 2027.
In a report submitted to competent authorities, ACV outlined a two-phase plan to transfer operations between Tan Son Nhat and Long Thanh, toward shifting most, and later all, international flights to Long Thanh.
Under the proposal, the first phase will run from the start of Long Thanh’s commercial operations through the 2026 winter flight schedule, from December 1, 2026 to March 27, 2027. During this period, all long-haul international flights, including cargo, will be transferred from Tan Son Nhat to Long Thanh, accounting for about 19% of total international passenger volume in Ho Chi Minh City.
An ACV representative said the early transfer of long-haul flights is intended to reduce pressure on Tan Son Nhat and to gradually test Long Thanh’s operational capacity in its initial stage.
In the second phase, from the 2027 summer flight schedule through 2030, ACV proposed transferring the remaining international flights to Long Thanh, except for short-haul routes under 1,000 km operated by Vietnamese airlines. If approved, Long Thanh could handle more than 90% of international passengers in Ho Chi Minh City in 2027.
After 2030, all regular international flights will be transferred to Long Thanh. Tan Son Nhat will mainly handle domestic flights, irregular international flights and charter services.
According to ACV, alongside accelerating progress on Component Project 3, the company is preparing operational conditions for Long Thanh across organisational structure, personnel, operational plans and trial runs.
ACV has established a branch, Long Thanh International Airport, to directly manage and operate the airport. Two specialised units, Long Thanh Air Cargo Services and Long Thanh Aviation Fuel Services, have also been set up to ensure operations are carried out in a coordinated manner.
On staffing, ACV said it has developed plans for training and assigning personnel to become familiar with equipment systems at Long Thanh. “Many employees have been assigned to work at Tan Son Nhat Airport to gain practical experience before commercial operations,” a company representative said.
For operational preparations, ACV has signed a consultancy contract with a consortium including Incheon International Airport Corporation and PIF Company to implement airport management, operations and operational transfer in line with international standards.
So far, ACV has finalized the first two phases, including operational concepts and core procedures, as well as commercial policies, business plans and financial strategy. The company is now implementing the third phase, including trial operations and operational transfer, with three trial runs planned for September, October and November 2026.
ACV said that once the plan for dividing operations between Long Thanh and Tan Son Nhat is issued, it will coordinate with relevant parties to keep the transition safe, efficient and smooth.
-sm.jpg)
