The Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) has submitted a progress report to the Prime Minister on the construction of Long Thanh International Airport in Dong Nai Province and preparations for its commercial opening later this year.
An event marking the arrival of a flight at Long Thanh Airport on December 19, 2025 (Photo: Ngoc Tan).
ACV said it has been working closely with airlines and aviation partners to develop operational plans while organising a series of site visits to the airport. Most domestic and international carriers have expressed interest in launching services from Long Thanh.
On June 18, Vietjet Air committed to operating at least two international routes from the airport during its initial phase. On June 23, Vietnam Airlines proposed transferring four international services linking Ho Chi Minh City with Beijing, Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Manila to Long Thanh, representing around 12 per cent of the airline's international flights.
Airport developers have also prepared check in counters, passenger service areas, lounges and other operational facilities for Vietnam Airlines and Vietnam Airport Ground Services (VIAGS).
Earlier, on June 17, Vietravel Airlines confirmed it would begin commercial operations at Long Thanh from the end of 2026 and plans to increase flight frequencies from the 2027 summer schedule.
ACV has now officially received commitments from three domestic carriers, Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air and Vietravel Airlines.
Long Thanh Airport is gradually nearing completion (Photo: Ngoc Tan).
The airport operator has also stepped up engagement with international airlines. On June 22 and June 24, ACV and the project management board met representatives of the Tan Son Nhat Airport Operators Committee (SGN AOC), along with Korean Air, All Nippon Airways (ANA), Cathay Pacific and Japan Airlines, who visited the project to assess future operating arrangements.
On June 26, ACV convened a meeting with the Long Thanh Airport Consultative Committee, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), SGN AOC and representatives of 34 international airlines to prepare for the airport's planned launch in December.
According to ACV, Long Thanh and Tan Son Nhat airports will operate in parallel. Tan Son Nhat will continue serving domestic routes and short haul international services, while Long Thanh will gradually develop into Vietnam's new international aviation gateway.
Alongside existing routes, ACV is seeking to establish 21 new international services focused on markets including China, Taiwan, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, the United States, Thailand and Europe.
These additional routes are expected to contribute around two million passengers annually to Long Thanh Airport by 2030, in addition to traffic transferred from Tan Son Nhat.
ACV said construction work has reached a value of more than VND 67 trillion (approximately USD 2.57 billion), equivalent to 77.6 per cent of the total contract value. Integrated trial operations are scheduled to begin in September, with commercial services expected to commence in December.
The corporation has established dedicated branches for airport operations, aviation fuel and air cargo at Long Thanh, while recruitment of operational staff is expected to be completed in July.
ACV has also signed a consultancy agreement with a consortium led by Incheon International Airport. Two key assignments, developing the airport's operational concept and core business processes, have already been completed.
The remaining task covering operational trials and the transfer of airport operations is under way, with three rounds of testing scheduled for September, October and November before the airport officially opens to commercial traffic.
