Proposal to remain flexible with Asian flights in the initial phase of Long Thanh exploitation

Vietnam Airlines Corporation (VNA) has just sent a document to the Ministry of Construction, the Civil Aviation Authority and the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) proposing an exploitation plan for airlines at Long Thanh and Tan Son Nhat airports.

In the document, Vietnam Airlines expressed complete agreement with the Ministry of Construction's plan to report to the Prime Minister that the plan to divide the exploitation of Long Thanh and Tan Son Nhat airports is expected to remain the same as in the feasibility study report of the Long Thanh airport project phase 1.

Long Thanh Airport is expected to operate its first commercial flight in June 2026.

According to this plan, Long Thanh airport will operate 80% of international flights and 10% of domestic flights; Tan Son Nhat will operate 20% of international flights and 90% of domestic flights.

However, in the context of the aircraft resources of the company as well as other Vietnamese airlines facing many difficulties due to the manufacturer recalling Pratt & Whitney engines on Airbus A321 aircraft and the disruption of the global supply chain in the field of aircraft repair and maintenance, Vietnam Airlines believes that immediately transferring all operations of flights over 1,000 km to Long Thanh airport will severely affect Vietnam Airlines' operation plan. The airline is expected to have to generate about 5 more narrow-body aircraft just to maintain the current flight schedule.

Therefore, the national airline recommends that in the initial stage of operation, the Ministry of Construction allows the airline and domestic airlines to proactively and flexibly plan their operations to ensure resources and supply market capacity as well as ensure connecting flights. Thereby, ensuring the goal of making Ho Chi Minh City a regional hub is maintained.

"Flexible exploitation is based on the principle: long-range routes (intercontinental - America, Europe, Australia) will immediately move to Long Thanh airport; routes within Asia will be flexible and have a roadmap to gradually move to Long Thanh airport according to the plan. The airline's proposed plan aims to ensure the exploitation of Long Thanh airport in accordance with the Party and State's orientation on developing Long Thanh into a regional transit hub, while ensuring the harmony of efficiency of both airports and the interests of Vietnamese airlines" - Vietnam Airlines leaders affirmed.

Source: Thanh Nien

Source: https://htv.com.vn/kien-nghi-van-linh-hoat-bay-chau-a-giai-doan-dau-khai-thac-long-thanh-222251016082040713.htm