On 1/8, the Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation (VATM), in coordination with Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), conducted test flights to evaluate flight procedures at Long Thanh International Airport following the completion of several air traffic control system components.
According to VATM, the objective of the flights was to assess flyability and examine the impact of signal interference on the accuracy and intensity of navigation systems. The tests were carried out according to the list of flight procedures approved by the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV).
The assessment focused on the accuracy and integrity of navigation databases, including obstacles, terrain, navigation stations, and other potential obstructions that could affect flight operations.
The test flights were conducted using a Beechcraft King Air 350ER, a specialized aircraft used for testing and calibrating approach lighting systems, instrument landing systems (ILS), taxiway lights, landing lights, and other communication and surveillance equipment.
The flight operations began on 31/7, with a total estimated duration of 12.5 hours, subject to weather conditions. As of the morning of 1/8, the first two flights had been completed. Each flight took off from Tan Son Nhat International Airport, conducted tests in the Long Thanh airspace, and then returned to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for landing.
Phase one of Long Thanh International Airport currently has 68 flight procedures, including 27 standard instrument departures (SIDs), 33 standard terminal arrival routes (STARs), and 8 instrument approach procedures (IAPs). Data from the test flights will be analyzed to assess accuracy and stability before calibration flights in October, in preparation for official operation starting in early 2026.
Long Thanh International Airport is a national key project covering 5,000 hectares with a total investment of nearly 336,630 trillion VND. Although the National Assembly agreed to extend the completion deadline for phase one of the project to the end of 2026, the Prime Minister has repeatedly urged relevant parties to expedite progress and overcome difficulties to essentially complete the airport this year.
Phuoc Tuan
