Long Thanh Airport enters calibration flight test phase
Long Thanh Airport begins flight testing navigation equipment calibration, ready for commercial exploitation on December 19, 2025.
Important milestones before the launch date
On the morning of September 26, the first flight approached Long Thanh airspace to conduct navigation signal calibration flights. This is an important step in the process of putting Long Thanh International Airport into official operation, with close coordination between Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation (VATM) and related units.
During the day, the aircraft will perform about 30 technical flights including approach flights, level flights, and routine flights to test and evaluate the accuracy of the navigation system according to ICAO standards. VATM’s ATTECH Company is responsible for flight testing and evaluating the entire navigation and aviation surveillance equipment system.
Air and ground coordination
Calibration requires a coordinated effort between the flight crew and ground technicians. Parameters are constantly adjusted to ensure that all equipment is in optimal operating condition. This is not only for flight safety but is also a mandatory criterion before the airport is officially put into operation.
According to the plan, the inspection and calibration process at Long Thanh will last from September 26 to October 24, 2025. This is the final step to complete international standards, before the airport is inaugurated and put into operation on December 19, 2025, in accordance with the Government's direction.
Survey and standardize navigation data
Previously, on September 24, the Flight Inspection and Calibration Center and international experts conducted a survey and collected coordinate data at navigation stations and runways. This data was integrated into the on-board inspection system to serve calibration flights.
In addition, detailed coordination work has been carried out between the flight crew and Tan Son Nhat Approach Control Center, Long Thanh Air Traffic Control Station. The content includes the allocation of flight areas, communication rules between pilots and controllers, and regulatory solutions to minimize the impact on civil aviation activities in Tan Son Nhat airspace.
Complete synchronous infrastructure
Along with the test flight activities, many major items at Long Thanh Airport are also being urgently completed such as: passenger terminal, taxiway - aircraft parking, air traffic control tower and runway. All are aimed at the basic goal of completion by the end of this year, making Long Thanh the most modern airport in Vietnam.
