A Boeing 787, Vietnam Airlines' largest wide-body aircraft, is scheduled to make a crucial technical landing at Long Thanh Airport this afternoon, 15/12. This flight, departing from Tan Son Nhat airport and landing at 3:30 PM, is a load testing exercise. It marks a significant step before the airport officially welcomes its first passenger flights on 19/12.
The Vietnam Airlines Boeing 787, capable of carrying up to 340 passengers, will only transport its crew and technical personnel for this test. Following the landing, the aircraft will return to TP HCM.
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Long Thanh Airport is ready to receive the aircraft landing on 15/12. *Photo: Phuoc Tuan*
During the load testing, the aircraft will execute all standard departure, approach, and landing procedures. This aims to evaluate the simultaneous coordination between the two major airports in the Southeast region.
Air traffic control, technical, meteorological, flight procedure, and rescue teams have undergone extensive training and scheduling based on thoroughly vetted operational documents. Their readiness meets the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Civil Air Navigation Services Organization (CANSO).
On 10/12, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam assessed the training of Long Thanh airport's air traffic controllers using a simulation system (SIM). This training covered various scenarios, including adverse weather, navigation equipment malfunctions, and aircraft emergencies. The assessment confirmed that the control teams' coordination and response capabilities meet operational requirements.
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The Prime Minister inspects the Long Thanh Airport Air Traffic Control Tower on the afternoon of 14/12. *Photo: Phuoc Tuan*
Nguyen Tien Viet, Deputy General Director of Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), announced that key components, including the runway, apron, air traffic control tower, technical systems, and ceremonial arrangements, are largely complete.
On 19/12, following Vietnam Airlines' inaugural flight, Vietjet Air and Bamboo Airways will also land at Long Thanh airport, with their arrivals approximately five minutes apart.
The Ministry of Construction's plan stipulates that official flights will only commence if this afternoon's technical flight successfully meets all technical and operational safety parameters.
Long Thanh Airport's first phase, covering an area of 1,810 hectares, began construction in 1/2021. It boasts a designed capacity of 25 million passengers and 1,2 million tons of cargo annually. Commercial operations are anticipated to commence by mid-2026.
Phuoc Tuan
