ACV must complete 15 procedures before operating Long Thanh Airport

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV), by the time Long Thanh International Airport begins operations, Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), investor of Component Project 3, must complete 15 related procedures.

Installation of equipment at the passenger terminal of Long Thanh International Airport. Photo: Pham Tung

366 flights per week during the initial operating phase

On October 4, at a meeting with a Government working delegation, ACV proposed partially opening Long Thanh International Airport for operations on December 24, 2026.

Testing the baggage conveyor system at the Long Thanh International Airport passenger terminal. Photo: Pham Tung

According to ACV leaders, the airport's opening will follow a phased approach, with operations gradually expanded over time. In Phase 1, from December 2026 to March 2027, the passenger terminal will operate its western wing and central area. Based on flight plans registered by Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet, passenger traffic volume is expected to reach 6–10% of the airport's designed capacity, equivalent to about 20–30 flights per day, focusing on domestic routes and short-haul international routes. The total volume during this period is expected to reach a maximum of 366 flights per week, including 322 domestic and 44 international flights.

“With ACV's strong determination, the CAAV will provide the fullest possible support and take the highest level of responsibility in resolving all procedures in accordance with the law and ICAO standards,” CAAV Director Uong Viet Dung emphasized.

For cargo operations, part of Cargo Terminal 1 will handle domestic cargo starting December 24, 2026. From January 2027, the terminal will begin serving international flights, except those to the European Union (EU) and the United States.

In Phase 2, from April to October 2027, Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet are expected to add international routes to Europe, Australia, South Asia, Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia and the Americas, as well as additional domestic routes. Passenger volume is projected to reach 50% of the airport's designed capacity.

During the same period, licensing procedures for the entire airport infrastructure will be completed, while international RA3 certification will be assessed for cargo bound for the EU and TSA requirements for cargo bound for the United States.

In Phase 3, beginning in October 2027, based on the winter flight schedule, Long Thanh International Airport is expected to officially operate at 100% of the designed capacity of Phase 1, with a full network of international and domestic routes, including cargo services to Europe and the United States.

Completing related dossiers on a rolling basis

According to CAAV Director Uong Viet Dung, CAAV is closely following ACV's implementation plan for Component Project 3 at Long Thanh International Airport. It has also developed scenarios and identified the legal requirements, regulations, standards and conditions set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for the airport to begin operations.

“CAAV is working alongside ACV on a rolling basis. This means that as each stage is completed, we coordinate with ACV and Long Thanh International Airport to finalize the relevant dossiers, so that once ACV is ready, CAAV can immediately assess and issue the necessary approvals to ensure that the airport meets Vietnamese law and ICAO requirements for operation,” Uong Viet Dung said.

Construction of Long Thanh International Airport is being accelerated. Photo: Pham Tung

Uong Viet Dung added that ACV still has numerous procedures to complete before Long Thanh International Airport can begin operations. According to CAAV's review, ACV must complete 15 related procedures. In addition, aviation service providers and air traffic management units must complete other procedures. These processes are being carried out simultaneously so that once construction is completed and the facilities are accepted, all conditions for operation will also be in place. These are mandatory international standards and stringent ICAO requirements for opening an airport. All international requirements concerning aviation safety and security must be fully met.

The CAAV leader noted that, based on international experience and observations of major airports around the world, bringing a large airport with extensive, highly modern systems, technologies and equipment into operation requires more than the Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) program. Before officially opening, airports typically need six to nine months to conduct trial operations and run their systems smoothly, ensuring that all relevant requirements are fully met.

By Pham Tung - Translated by Mai Nga, Thu Ha