Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet are moving forward with plans to operate international flights from the newly constructed Long Thanh International Airport in Dong Nai. Vietnam Airlines is set to transfer approximately 12% of its international flights from Tan Son Nhat Airport to Long Thanh, while Vietjet has committed to launching at least two international routes from the new airport.
On June 30, the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) announced that it had received operational plans from three domestic airlines and was in discussions with several international carriers to prepare for the airport's operations. Vietravel Airlines is expected to commence commercial operations at Long Thanh by the end of 2026, with plans to increase flight frequency starting from the summer schedule of 2027.
In the initial phase, Vietjet Air will maintain at least two international routes at Long Thanh. Vietnam Airlines has proposed moving some international routes from Tan Son Nhat to Long Thanh, which would account for about 12% of the airline's international flights. The passenger terminal at Long Thanh Airport is designed to accommodate a significant number of travelers.
ACV has also been coordinating with Vietnam Airlines and the Vietnam Airport Ground Services Company (VIAGS) to arrange check-in counters, kiosks, self-service baggage drop areas, departure gates, and baggage claim areas. Additionally, discussions have been held with the Airport Project Management Board and the International Air Transport Association (IATA), along with representatives from 34 airlines, including Korean Air, All Nippon Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Japan Airlines, to finalize operational plans.
Furthermore, ACV has signed a consulting contract with a consortium led by Incheon Airport to develop operational strategies for the airport. Key aspects such as operational procedures, commercial policies, business plans, and financial strategies have already been completed.
Beyond transferring existing routes from Tan Son Nhat, ACV anticipates that market promotion and the introduction of new direct routes will enable Long Thanh to attract around 2 million additional passengers annually by 2030. Potential markets include North America, Europe, Oceania, the Middle East, South Asia, and Central Asia.
Spanning approximately 5,000 hectares, Long Thanh Airport has a total investment of nearly $16 billion. Phase 1 is expected to be operational by late 2026, aiming to alleviate congestion at Tan Son Nhat and stimulate the development of air logistics, commerce, services, finance, hotels, and conference facilities in the surrounding area. The first phase will feature one runway and a passenger terminal designed to handle 25 million passengers and 1.2 million tons of cargo annually.
Once operational, Long Thanh Airport will work alongside Tan Son Nhat to serve as a key aviation gateway for the Ho Chi Minh City region, with Long Thanh expected to provide additional capacity for international flights and cargo transportation.
