CaliToday (12/12/2025): The wait is nearly over. For years, the Long Thanh International Airport (LTIA) has been a vision of steel, concrete, and dust. But next week, it becomes a living airport.
The Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation (VATM) confirmed this morning that all critical air navigation infrastructure is officially complete and ready. This clears the runway for a historic milestone: the first calibration flights (flight checks), scheduled to take place from December 15 to December 19, 2025.
1. The "First Touch" of the Sky
While commercial passengers won't be boarding just yet, this event is monumental. For the first time, an aircraft will interact with the airport's systems operationally.
What is happening? Specialized aircraft will perform a series of take-offs, landings, and flyovers to test the airport's "nervous system."
The Mission: These flights are a high-stakes stress test for the communications, navigation, and surveillance systems. They will ensure that the Instrument Landing Systems (ILS), runway lights, and radio frequencies are calibrated to microscopic precision.
The Timeline: The skies over Dong Nai will be buzzing from next Monday (Dec 15) through Friday, marking the transition from "construction site" to "operational airfield."
2. The Tower Stands Ready
VATM’s announcement signals the completion of the airport's most iconic structure: the Air Traffic Control (ATC) Tower.
Often described as the "brain" of the airport, the tower and its supporting facilities have passed their final ground inspections. The completion of the technical infrastructure ensures that when the calibration plane approaches next week, the controllers will have a complete, real-time picture of the airspace.
3. Why This Matters: The Road to 2026
This calibration phase is the critical "exam" the airport must pass before it can be certified for commercial operations.
Staying on Schedule: A successful flight check next week confirms that the project is adhering to its aggressive timeline. It solidifies the goal of welcoming commercial flights in 2026.
Relieving Tan Son Nhat: Every milestone at Long Thanh is watched closely by residents of Ho Chi Minh City, who are desperate for relief from the overcrowding at the existing Tan Son Nhat airport.
4. A New Aviation Hub for Southeast Asia
Long Thanh is not merely a replacement airport; it is designed to be a competitor to regional giants like Changi (Singapore) and Suvarnabhumi (Thailand).
"The first tire that touches the runway next week symbolizes the beginning of a new era for Vietnamese aviation," industry analysts observe. "It proves that the super-airport is no longer just a plan on paper, but a reality on the ground."
What to Watch For Next Week
Aviation enthusiasts and media are expected to gather near the boundary fences in Long Thanh starting December 15th to catch a glimpse of the first plane making its approach—a visual confirmation that Vietnam's largest infrastructure project is ready for takeoff.