The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has outlined the technical, regulatory and operational requirements for the airport's planned opening, following instructions from Standing Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc and the Ministry of Construction.
Relevant agencies are preparing detailed daily schedules for November and December to complete documentation, technical inspections and aviation licensing procedures.
The airport has already completed several key regulatory and technical preparations, including the reissuance of its airport business licence and registration of its international identification codes, VVLT under ICAO and LTH under IATA.
Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation (VATM) has completed airspace and flight procedure designs for the Tan Son Nhat–Long Thanh–Bien Hoa airport cluster, established key coordinates under the WGS-84 system and finalised its electronic terrain and obstacle data (eTOD).
A major focus is the Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) programme, comprising 55 scenarios across three phases from September to December.
The programme is designed to test the readiness of airport infrastructure, equipment, procedures and personnel before commercial operations begin.
International aviation organisations regard ORAT as a crucial transition between construction completion and operational readiness, requiring coordinated trials involving aviation technicians, customs, immigration and airport security personnel.
However, the programme faces considerable technical and logistical challenges as testing takes place alongside construction completion, inspections and staff training.
CAAV has stressed that all technical faults and operational bottlenecks identified during trials must be classified, rectified and retested to ensure safety before the airport opens.
Key deadlines before December 24
To meet the planned opening date, authorities have established deadlines for essential regulatory and technical procedures.
By December 1, relevant agencies must complete environmental permits, fire prevention and firefighting plans, oil spill response procedures and emergency plans addressing unlawful interference.
Inspections of specialised airport vehicles and equipment, along with the issuance of long-term aviation security passes and permits for personnel and vehicles, must be completed by December 15.
CAAV is also working with Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) and VATM to coordinate aviation licensing procedures.
Approval of air navigation service operational documents and certification of air navigation services (ANS) equipment systems must be completed by December 21.
The airport certification process is scheduled for completion before December 24.
Flight procedure validation, flight inspections and calibration of aviation equipment must also be completed, while the Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) must be finalised to support operations from December 24.
CAAV has recommended that the Ministry of Construction coordinate with other ministries, agencies and local authorities to ensure sufficient customs, immigration and quarantine personnel are stationed at the airport.
It has also called for faster completion of transport infrastructure connecting the airport to surrounding areas to ensure coordinated operations.
Under international aviation practices and IATA guidance, ORAT programmes for large, newly built airports assess not only equipment but also the operational readiness of the entire airport system.
The assessments cover infrastructure, information technology, procedures, staffing, service providers and coordination between airport operators and government agencies.
The process allows operators to identify shortcomings, resolve problems, repeat tests and refine procedures before commercial operations begin.