Long Thanh airport to welcome first 3 flights on Dec 19, technical test flight set for today

The event, which follows four days of technical test flights, was announced by leaders of the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) during a working session with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the construction site on Sunday.

According to Nguyen Tien Viet, ACV’s deputy CEO, key infrastructure required for flight operations—including the runway, apron, air traffic control station, and technical systems—has been completed.

On Dec. 19, a Vietnam Airlines flight will lead the arrivals from Hanoi. It will be followed closely by aircraft from Vietjet Air and Bamboo Airways, landing approximately five minutes apart.

Ahead of the ceremonial arrivals, the airport will conduct a crucial full-system test today, Dec. 15.

At 3:30 p.m., a wide-body Code E aircraft, expected to be a Boeing 787 carrying only flight crew and technical staff, will take off from Tan Son Nhat Airport, around 40 km away in Ho Chi Minh City, land at Long Thanh to test the runway and navigation systems, and then return.

After inspecting the runway, passenger terminal, apron, and air traffic control tower on Sunday, PM Chinh praised the dedication of the engineers, workers, and personnel from Military Region 7 who have been working to prepare the site.

He observed that eight essential components ensuring safe takeoffs and landings are in place.

He directed ACV to mobilize maximum resources to accelerate the remaining work, specifically the installation of jet bridges and terminal glazing. The Ministry of National Defense stated it is ready to provide additional personnel if necessary.

The PM also instructed ministries and Dong Nai Province to review all components, particularly transport connectivity, to ensure the Dec. 19 event proceeds smoothly. He also called for appropriate rewards for individuals demonstrating long-term dedication and outstanding performance.

According to ACV, more than 15,000 engineers and workers are currently working around the clock at the site. Their focus remains on finalizing runway No. 1, taxiways, and equipping the passenger terminal.

While the runway is ready for the upcoming tests, the passenger terminal is in the final stages of construction and equipment installation. Commercial operations for the airport are targeted to begin in mid-2026.

Phase 1 of Long Thanh Airport covers 1,810 hectares. Construction began in January 2021 with a design capacity to handle 25 million passengers and 1.2 million tons of cargo annually.