During the September 2nd holiday, Tan Son Nhat airport had a new look, making travel more pleasant for passengers.

Many passengers arrived at the airport early in the morning, choosing the first departure of the day to avoid delays. (In the photo: Passengers moving around Tan Son Nhat terminal at 5 am this morning, August 31st - Photo: CONG TRUNG)

From early morning on August 31st, marking the beginning of the peak travel season for the September 2nd holiday, Tuoi Tre Online observed a different scene at Tan Son Nhat Airport, with passengers moving leisurely, no longer rushing or queuing for check-in procedures as is usually the case.

Guests were surprised by the transformation.

The check-in and security screening areas were uncrowded from early morning, creating a pleasant and comfortable atmosphere for those flying during this period. This positive change reduced the anxieties often associated with traveling through this airport.

Although some flights were delayed the previous night due to bad weather in Ho Chi Minh City, this morning airlines such as Vietnam Airlines , Bamboo Airways, and Vietjet are operating normally, with no significant delays recorded.

Customers check in at the Vietnam Airlines counter early on the morning of August 31st - Photo: CONG TRUNG

According to observations, in lobby area A, tour guides were gathering passengers, and there were still empty seats. Passengers, carrying suitcases and small children, moved around leisurely, significantly reducing the rush seen before.

Similarly, the B terminal of Vietjet also experienced an unusually spacious atmosphere. Passengers moved easily, without crowding or worrying about procedures. There were still a few cases of overweight passengers having to pay extra fees. Overall, everything went smoothly.

Mr. Tri, an employee of Vietnam Airlines, said that from the shift starting at 2 AM, flights had been running normally, without any problems such as prolonged delays or cancellations. By 7 AM, all operations were under control, providing reassurance to passengers.

The area around the security checkpoint is spacious and well-ventilated - Photo: CONG TRUNG

Not overloaded, but there are other concerns.

Leaders of the Southern Aviation Authority were present at the terminal from early morning to directly inspect the operational situation. Speaking to Tuoi Tre Online , they said that although the September 2nd holiday is a peak time for air travel, everything is still under control and there is more than enough capacity to serve passengers.

Today, Tan Son Nhat Airport is operating 644 domestic and international flights, the majority of which are domestic flights.

There are 186 flights departing from Tan Son Nhat Airport to various provinces today, spread throughout the day. Particularly during the morning hours from 5 am to 8 am, the airport handles 12-14 flights per hour, concentrated in both Terminal A (including 5 domestic airlines: Vietnam Airlines, Vietravel Airlines, Bamboo Airways, Vasco, and Pacific Airlines) and Terminal B (Vietjet).

Despite the high flight density, the airport's service capacity remains adequate, capable of handling up to 24 outbound flights per hour out of a total capacity of 42 flights per hour.

Carrying luggage and bags for the September 2nd holiday, people took advantage of the early morning flight and the smooth, uncrowded Tan Son Nhat airport - Photo: CONG TRUNG

At the domestic terminal, Tan Son Nhat Airport can serve approximately 1,770 to 2,732 passengers per hour, while its maximum capacity can reach 3,500 passengers per hour. This shows that the airport still has room to meet the increasing demand of passengers without becoming overloaded.

This shift is partly due to many families opting for alternative modes of transportation instead of solely focusing on air travel, such as motorbike or car trips to tourist destinations near Ho Chi Minh City like Phan Thiet and Vung Tau. Additionally, some families are taking advantage of the pre-holiday travel period to ease pressure on airports during peak days.

Leaders of the Southern Airports Authority are also optimistic, believing that with the completion and commissioning of Tan Son Nhat Terminal 3, with a capacity of 20 million passengers per year and an investment of nearly 11,000 billion VND, scheduled to begin operation next year, Tan Son Nhat will become even more spacious and convenient, better meeting the travel needs of passengers during upcoming holidays.

According to an aviation expert, improvements in infrastructure and services at Tan Son Nhat have gradually dispelled the perception of it as a crowded and overloaded airport.

"A less congested airport is a good image, but without improving services, the risk of losing passengers remains an unknown factor in the future," this person said.

Busiest flight times on August 31st

According to the flight schedule for August 31st, peak hours on routes from Tan Son Nhat Airport to other provinces and cities will see a significant increase in the number of flights and passengers. The airline advises passengers to pay attention to their identification documents to avoid missing their flights.

Between 8 AM and 11 AM, there are an average of 10-15 flights per hour, equivalent to 2,300-2,700 domestic passengers. Passengers should proactively check in online or arrive at the airport two hours in advance to complete baggage check-in procedures.

During the afternoon hours from 1 PM to 3 PM, the frequency of service is 13-15 trips per hour, with approximately 2,000 passengers per hour.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/dip-le-2-9-tan-son-nhat-co-dien-mao-moi-khach-di-lai-de-chiu-hon-20240831080212402.htm