Latest Plans for International Flight Operations at Tan Son Nhat and Long Thanh Airports

According to the Ministry of Construction, the first phase of Long Thanh International Airport (with a capacity of 25 million passengers per year) will operate alongside Tan Son Nhat International Airport as a “twin international airport” model. The government will actively coordinate and allocate the ratio of international to domestic flights for each period.

Starting in 2026, Long Thanh will handle 80% of international flights and 10% of domestic flights, while Tan Son Nhat will manage 20% of international flights and 90% of domestic flights.

Specifically, Long Thanh will handle all international routes of 1,000 km or more, along with other routes selected by airlines. It is expected to transport 10-12% of the volume on the Hanoi – Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang – Ho Chi Minh City routes.

Tan Son Nhat will focus on international routes under 1,000 km, primarily serving Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos (accounting for 15-17% of total international flights to Ho Chi Minh City). The majority of domestic flights will still be handled by this airport. This allocation will be reviewed and adjusted after 5 years of actual operation to ensure it meets the needs and infrastructure capacity of each period.

The Ministry of Construction emphasizes that the Long Thanh International Airport project is a national key project with a large scale and complex structure. Investors are accelerating construction to ensure timely operation according to the schedule.

Effective preparation for the operational phase, particularly the coordination between Long Thanh and Tan Son Nhat, will determine the investment efficiency and the international transit hub status of Vietnam’s aviation industry in the future.

“The Ministry of Construction will continue to evaluate, coordinate, and allocate the ratio of international to domestic flights at each airport for each period to ensure the efficient operation of both Long Thanh and Tan Son Nhat International Airports,” stated the Ministry’s document.

To achieve these goals, the Prime Minister has instructed the Ministry of Construction to establish a Task Force for Long Thanh Airport Operation Preparation. Over the past period, the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) has hired the Incheon Airport Consortium (IAC) as a consultant to develop the Concept of Operations (CONOPS) and the Comprehensive Operation Plan.

IAC consultants have studied two scenarios, recommending the transfer of all regular international flights from Tan Son Nhat to Long Thanh for better management and resource optimization. This move will also position Long Thanh as a regional aviation hub, competing with major airports worldwide.

Based on this, the Vietnam Aviation Administration and ACV have agreed on an operational allocation plan, which has been submitted to the Ministry of Construction for approval by the competent authorities. The detailed handover roadmap ensures safe operation and maximizes investment efficiency from the initial days of operation.