Airlines race to prepare for Long Thanh Airport operations

As construction accelerates and relevant agencies work to complete the procedures required to bring Long Thanh International Airport into operation, airlines are stepping up preparations for this historic milestone.

Long Thanh Airport welcomed its first passenger flight in December 2025.

According to the current plan, part of Long Thanh Airport will begin operations in December 2026.

Final preparations underway

For national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines, preparations for the start of operations at Long Thanh Airport are underway across multiple areas of aviation operations.

A representative of Vietnam Airlines said the carrier is implementing three projects at Long Thanh Airport, covering aircraft technical and maintenance services, in-flight catering and ground handling. The projects are progressing as planned to ensure these services are ready to support flights when Long Thanh Airport begins commercial operations.

Vietnam Airlines is also coordinating with the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) to develop operational and service procedures at Long Thanh Airport, participate in test flights, and prepare operational areas, service facilities and other necessary arrangements to ensure safe and efficient operations throughout the aviation service chain.

Regarding the No. 2 cargo terminal project, Vietnam Airlines has reported to the Government and proposed adjustments to the investment schedule and capacity to improve operational efficiency and better match the airline’s needs. These proposed changes will not affect preparations for aircraft technical services and maintenance at Long Thanh Airport.

Meanwhile, Vietjet Air expects to deploy three aircraft on domestic routes from Long Thanh Airport during the initial operating period from December 2026 to March 2027. Subsequent phases will follow the operating plan developed by ACV in coordination with the airlines.

On October 7, the Government Office issued Notice No. 516/TB-VPCP, conveying the conclusions of Standing Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc following an on-site inspection to urge progress on the Long Thanh Airport project and connecting roads in Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai City. For Phase 1 of Long Thanh Airport, ACV was instructed to immediately review all outstanding work across construction packages, particularly those with substantial remaining workloads that lie on the project’s critical path. Detailed schedules must be prepared for each component to support monitoring and direction, with the aim of completing the project and putting it into operation in 2026.

Khuat Viet Hung, an independent member of Vietjet Air’s Board of Directors, said the airline was preparing equipment, personnel and other necessary conditions to coordinate with ACV and bring operations at Long Thanh Airport online as scheduled.

He added that determining the exact date for commercial operations was important to enable airlines to prepare proactively. Once Long Thanh Airport opens, the operational changes will affect not only the new airport but also Tan Son Nhat Airport, flight schedules, passenger itineraries and connecting-flight demand.

In particular, Vietjet Air considers transport links between Long Thanh Airport and Ho Chi Minh City a priority. The airline has called on relevant authorities to study priority traffic arrangements for passenger transport between the city and Long Thanh Airport, especially along the route connecting Tan Son Nhat and Long Thanh airports.

International airlines prepare to fly to Long Thanh

According to Uong Viet Dung, director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, international airlines support operating flights to Long Thanh Airport because it is a new, modern facility that will meet higher service-quality requirements in the future.

Construction and finishing work at Long Thanh Airport is being accelerated ahead of its planned opening.

However, in feedback submitted to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, international airlines have consistently requested six to nine months’ advance notice before an airport begins operations so they can complete their preparations. As a result, all international airlines have formally submitted letters proposing flights to Long Thanh Airport in the winter 2027 schedule.

Uong Viet Dung also noted that major international cargo airlines require all cargo terminal facilities at Long Thanh International Airport to be fully completed and meet the required standards before they can relocate their operations to the new airport.

Meanwhile, international air express operators require the express cargo terminal to be fully completed and equipped to meet operational standards before they can begin operations at Long Thanh International Airport.

By Pham Tung – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho