Tan Son Nhat Terminal T3 begins welcoming passengers

Passengers go through security check at terminal T3 - Photo: QA

Flight VN1286 departed from Ho Chi Minh City to Van Don ( Quang Ninh ) at 5:55 a.m., carrying 105 passengers, marking an important milestone in putting this modern terminal into operation.

According to Tuoi Tre , from early morning, terminal T3 was bustling with the presence of the first passengers.

Modern terminal, reducing the load on Tan Son Nhat airport

The atmosphere of excitement and curiosity was evident as many people experienced the spacious, luxurious space and advanced technology. Ms. Lien (residing in the district), one of the first passengers to check in at Terminal T3, shared that the terminal is very new, modern, with a beautiful and airy space.

The connecting route is also convenient and easy to travel. In the waiting area, staff from aviation service units such as Taseco and Sasco work tirelessly. Ms. Tra Giang, an employee of an aviation service company, said she stayed up almost all night to prepare.

Despite the hardship, everyone was excited to welcome the first guests. Meanwhile, workers were busy cleaning windows, checking elevators, taking care of trees, and making sure everything was ready for the official opening day on April 30.

Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet have also begun to operate at Terminal T3. Accordingly, Vietnam Airlines is the first airline to operate at Terminal T3, with check-in counters numbered 56-109 and 22 automated counters.

The airline recommends that passengers arrive at the airport 2 hours early, with priority given to online check-in via the website, mobile app or self-service kiosks. It is expected that by the end of April, all domestic flights of Vietnam Airlines (except for routes to Con Dao, Ca Mau , Rach Gia) will be transferred to Terminal T3.

Vietjet also plans to move all domestic flights to Terminal T3 in the near future. Meanwhile, Bamboo Airways, Vietravel Airlines, Pacific Airlines and Vasco continue to operate at Terminal T1. Terminal T2 still serves international flights.

In addition to the airline, other services are being quickly synchronized and ready for the official opening day. Speaking to Tuoi Tre, Mr. Le Anh Quoc, vice chairman of Taseco’s board of directors, said the company has mobilized maximum staff to operate 19 restaurants, souvenir shops and business lounges. According to Mr. Quoc, Terminal T3 is spacious with modern technology.

Taseco will invest in more quality services, synchronized with the Taseco system. Meanwhile, Sasco has opened a business lounge with a modern design, meeting international standards, attracting many passengers from the first day.

According to Vietnam Airports Corporation (ACV), Terminal T3 has a capacity of 20 million passengers/year and 7,000 passengers/peak hour, capable of operating all types of code C and code E aircraft.

Expected to receive nearly 80% of all domestic flights at Tan Son Nhat airport, Terminal T3 will significantly reduce pressure on Terminal T1 - which was designed for only 15 million passengers/year but is often overloaded, especially during the Tet holiday with nearly 100,000 passengers/day.

Passengers check-in online and leave their luggage at Terminal T3 - Photo: VA

Ensure safe operation, support passengers

Directly inspecting and urging progress at Terminal T3 on the morning of April 17, Mr. Nguyen Cao Cuong, Deputy General Director of ACV, affirmed that Terminal T3 will be completed on schedule for the inauguration ceremony on April 30. More than 2,500 workers and engineers have worked day and night to ensure the quality of the project.

According to ACV, Terminal T3 has a total floor area of 112,500m², including 1 basement and 4 upper floors. The terminal is designed to integrate many advanced aviation technologies with 90 traditional check-in counters, 20 automatic baggage claim counters and 42 self-service check-in kiosks.

The synchronous system of roads and overpasses helps passengers move conveniently. According to aviation experts, Terminal T3 is expected to become one of the most modern domestic passenger terminals in the region.

Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air's move to Terminal T3 will serve about 20 million domestic passengers each year, accounting for nearly 80% of the total number of domestic passengers at Tan Son Nhat Airport, contributing to solving the overload situation and improving the quality of Vietnam's aviation services on the international map.

However, because terminals T1 and T3 are separate, traveling between the two terminals takes at least 15 - 20 minutes, and aviation businesses are concerned about passenger confusion, especially with codeshare flights such as Vietnam Airlines, Pacific Airlines and Vasco.

For example, code-share flights between Vietnam Airlines and Pacific Airlines both carry the "VN" symbol, which can lead to confusion about the actual operating airline. This can lead to passengers arriving at the wrong check-in counter or at the wrong flight time.

To minimize confusion, airlines are increasing information to passengers about terminal changes in notification media such as email, text messages, Zalo... Passengers also need to carefully check the departure terminal information on their tickets.

Faced with the inevitable risk of passengers being taken to the wrong terminal, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam requested ACV and Tan Son Nhat Airport to coordinate with ground service units to ensure passengers receive maximum support, especially in the event of being taken to the wrong terminal.

Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air are required to develop policies to support passengers who miss their flights due to being at the wrong terminal, while also increasing communication and arranging staff to guide them at the airport.

ACV plans to add personnel to support passengers, especially those transferring flights, in the initial phase of operating Terminal T3. Tan Son Nhat Airport is also planning to bid for passenger transportation services between Terminals T1, T2 and T3 to ensure convenience for passengers.

Spacious check-in waiting area at Terminal T3 - Photo: QA

Which way to T3 terminal?

Terminal T3 uses two main axes: the Tran Quoc Hoan - Cong Hoa connecting road and the extended Hoang Hoa Tham road, instead of depending on Truong Son road as before.

The 4km-long Tran Quoc Hoan - Cong Hoa connecting road project, with a total capital of more than VND4,800 billion, will be put into synchronous operation from the end of April.

Mr. Luong Minh Phuc, Director of the HCM City Traffic Construction Investment Project Management Board, said the route has three connection points to T3 station, including two underground entrances and an overpass in front of the station.

Passengers from the areas can access T3 terminal by the following routes:

- Binh Duong, Dong Nai, Thu Duc City: Pham Van Dong - Bach Dang - Truong Son - connecting road Tran Quoc Hoan - Phan Thuc Duyen.

- Ho Chi Minh City Center: Nam Ky Khoi Nghia - Nguyen Van Troi - Phan Thuc Duyen.

- West and northwest (Binh Tan district, Binh Chanh district, Hoc Mon, Cu Chi): Cong Hoa - Hoang Hoa Tham - Phan Thuc Duyen.

View diagram

Tan Son Nhat Terminal T3 begins welcoming passengers - Photo 4.