According to the Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation (VATM), total flights on February 12 exceeded 1,050 during the peak period for Tet 2026. On February 11, air traffic controllers handled 1,055 flights safely, the highest figure ever recorded at the airport.
Traffic is expected to remain extremely high over the next three peak days, from the 26th to the 28th day of the lunar month (February 13-15), with projected volumes of 1,075, 1,056 and 1,053 flights per day respectively. The 26th day is forecast to mark the pre-Tet peak.
Amid mounting pressure, the Tan Son Nhat Approach Control Centre has activated peak operation plans, deploying staff at full capacity, reinforcing shifts, restricting leave and keeping backup teams on standby.
The centre is coordinating with airport operators under the Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM) framework and utilising parallel runways to increase capacity and reduce delays. Arrivals are being coordinated with regional control centres to maintain orderly airspace and prevent congestion.
Contingency response plans are also being regularly rehearsed, with all operations conducted in strict compliance with directives from the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam and VATM.
Handling more than 1,050 flights per day underscores Tan Son Nhat’s air traffic control capacity and the effectiveness of system-wide coordination during the busiest travel period of the year.
