The Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), the investor of the Long Thanh International Airport project, has warned that delays in transferring flights from
Tan Son Nhat International Airport could undermine Long Thanh’s operational efficiency and hinder Vietnam’s ambition to become a regional aviation hub.
Vietnam Airlines recently proposed moving only long-haul routes to the Americas, Europe, and Australia to the new airport initially, while gradually shifting Asian routes later, citing aircraft shortages caused by mandatory engine recalls. However, ACV emphasized that the government should follow the approved plan to ensure Long Thanh’s viability. Under this plan, Long Thanh would handle 80% of international and 10% of domestic flights, while Tan Son Nhat would retain 20% and 90%, respectively.
According to the Independent Auditing Company (IAC), a Vietnamese auditing firm, a fragmented flight network could reduce airlines’ market share and passenger volumes by 9% (equivalent to over 2 million passengers annually) in the Long Thanh’s initial phase, delaying growth by up to nine years.
While ACV supports a phased transition aligned with operational realities, it urged the government to promptly issue a clear transition roadmap with specific deadlines and incentives to encourage airlines’ participation. Simultaneously, carriers must ensure sufficient medium- and long-haul fleets to support the new route network.
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Reference: VN Express, 5 November 2025
