Long Thanh Airport Welcomes Its First Calibration Flight
On the morning of September 26th, the Long Thanh Airport project marked a significant milestone as its first calibration flight took off, initiating the testing and evaluation phase of the entire technical system ahead of its official operation.
Long Thanh Airport welcomes its first calibration flight. Photo: VTC News
Since early morning, the runway lighting system and all navigation and landing support equipment were illuminated and thoroughly inspected. At 6:00 AM sharp, a specialized Beechcraft KingAir 300 series aircraft took off from Tan Son Nhat Airport, arriving at Long Thanh at 6:09 AM to perform a series of landing tests on the runway and various flight maneuvers in the Long Thanh airspace. The aircraft then returned to Ho Chi Minh City.
This aircraft type is widely used by many countries for calibration work due to its high maneuverability and stability.
Images of the Long Thanh International Airport’s runway before the calibration flight. Photo: Vietnam Airports Corporation
According to representatives from the Vietnam Airports Corporation (ACV), all preparations for the flight were meticulously coordinated to ensure absolute safety. The calibration phase, running from September 26th to October 24th, 2025, is being directly executed by Air Traffic Management Technical Company (ATTECH), a subsidiary of the Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation (VATM).
Experienced ATTECH experts will collaborate with international specialists from the Czech Republic’s Air Navigation Academy to ensure objectivity and enhance the credibility of the evaluation process.
During this calibration phase, several critical components of the Long Thanh Airport will be inspected, including:
Previously, flight procedure validation conducted in late July and early August was successful, paving the way for the subsequent calibration flights. According to the Prime Minister’s conclusion, the most critical goal of Phase 1 of the Long Thanh Airport project is to substantially complete it by December 19th, ensuring it meets the standards and conditions for inauguration as required.
Long Thanh Airport Ready to Join the Global Aviation Map
The Long Thanh International Airport project is located in Long Thanh commune, Dong Nai province, with a total investment of over $16 billion. The project is divided into three phases, with Phase 1 expected to commence operations in 2026, at an investment of $5.45 billion, achieving a capacity of 25 million passengers per year.
The calibration aircraft circling over Long Thanh this morning not only holds technical significance but also symbolizes the relentless spirit of thousands of engineers and workers on-site, working tirelessly day and night, through rain and shine. It also demonstrates the unwavering determination to complete Vietnam’s largest airport on schedule.
Illustrative image of Long Thanh Airport in operation generated by AI ChatGPT
With its international-scale design, Long Thanh Airport embodies Vietnam’s ambition to become a central hub in the new era of global aviation. Our nation is poised to join the international air transport network, not just as a “destination” but as a “regional transit center.”
The Long Thanh Airport project will not only serve the aviation industry but also open new doors for trade, logistics, investment, and tourism. In the context of international integration, Long Thanh Airport serves as Vietnam’s “national business card,” affirming its position, reputation, and aspirations on the global stage.
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From late September to nearly the end of October, the Vietnam Aviation Authority (under the Ministry of Construction) will collaborate with relevant units to conduct flight inspections and calibrations at Long Thanh Airport. This critical step is essential to ensure operational safety and the timely inauguration of the airport.
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