Surpassing 1,050 flights per day-the highest in its history during the Tet Binh Ngo 2026 holiday season-Tan Son Nhat International Airport has activated its special peak-time operations plan.

In the days leading up to Tet, the skies over Tan Son Nhat have witnessed record-breaking activity. On February 11, 2026, the Tan Son Nhat Approach Control Center (APP Tan Son Nhat) safely managed 1,055 flights, setting a new operational milestone.

Record flight volume and sustained pressure

According to the Air Traffic Flow Management Center, pressure will remain intense in the coming days. Between February 13 and 15 (the 26th to 28th of the lunar month), flight volumes are expected to stay extremely high, at 1,075, 1,056, and 1,053 flights per day, respectively. The 26th day of the lunar month is projected to see the highest number of controlled flights before Tet.

Maintaining over 1,000 daily flights for several consecutive days represents a significant challenge for Vietnam’s busiest airport, stretching its air traffic management capacity to the limit.

Activating the special operations plan

To cope with the surge, APP Tan Son Nhat has launched its Tet peak-period operations plan, focusing all efforts on safety and continuity of service.

Personnel resources have been maximized, with leave restricted during the peak period. Backup teams-both on-site and on-call-remain ready to reinforce operations in the event of sudden spikes or irregular situations.

For departing flights, the Airport Collaborative Decision-Making (A-CDM) process has been strictly implemented, enabling air traffic control, airport authorities, and airlines to share data and optimize every stage of operations. The flexible use of two parallel runways also helps maintain capacity during peak hours and minimize cascading delays.

For incoming flights, APP Tan Son Nhat works closely with the Air Traffic Flow Management Center to allocate landing slots efficiently, particularly when volumes exceed capacity. It also coordinates with the Southern Air Traffic Management Center to optimize airspace usage and maintain orderly flow throughout the region.

Emergency handling protocols have been reviewed, trained, and regularly rehearsed to ensure readiness under all conditions. Sustaining a throughput of over 1,050 flights per day in the days leading up to Tet once again demonstrates the coordination, discipline, and professionalism of Tan Son Nhat’s air traffic control teams.

Vu Diep