Tan Son Nhat no longer worries about 'straining' to welcome peak season

The 'summer block' has officially begun enjoying the longest holiday of the year, which is also the time when families are busy with plans to bring their children home or go on vacation. Instead of worrying about traffic jams due to peak times like before, the aviation industry in general and the busiest airport in the country - Tan Son Nhat - in particular - are quite relaxed this year thanks to the opening of the 'super' T3 terminal.

Reduce the load on terminal T1 by at least 30%

According to the latest information from the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), during the peak summer season this year, the total number of flights of all airlines to and from Tan Son Nhat International Airport is expected to average 730 flights per day, including 430 domestic flights and 300 international flights. This number is an increase of about 10% compared to the current flight schedule, focusing on domestic routes.

As of the morning of May 25, Terminal T3 has served nearly 550,000 passengers on 2,521 flights; ensuring safe operations.

With the above plan, Tan Son Nhat airport is expected to serve an average of 120,000 passengers per day, an increase of about 9% compared to current traffic. On the two weekends of Friday and Sunday, the flight schedule as well as the number of passengers will be higher than the rest of the week.

Of which, Vietnam Airlines is expected to have the largest number of flights through the port, reaching 256 flights/day, an increase of about 16% compared to the current flight schedule, also focusing on increasing domestic routes. This is also the only airline that has transferred almost all domestic flight operations to the new terminal T3. With a ratio of nearly 35% of total flights to/from Tan Son Nhat airport during the peak summer season, terminal T3 will "shoulder" about 30% of the pressure from Vietnam Airlines flights to terminal T1.

Thanks to that, the congestion from the sky to the ground, from the telescopic tube to the baggage counter will no longer recur seriously at the busiest station in the country like during peak seasons.

ACV representative also assessed that after more than 1 month of operation, T3 passenger terminal has recorded its first impressions in serving passengers and contributing to reducing the load on the existing T1 terminal. As of the morning of May 25, T3 terminal has served nearly 550,000 passengers on 2,521 flights; ensuring operational safety.

In particular, the pilot implementation of the solution of applying electronic identification, authentication and biometric identification using VNeID for boarding procedures at the new terminal has proven effective in reducing waiting time for passengers. It is estimated that the boarding procedure flow has been automated, shortening the checking time for passengers who have their identification documents and boarding passes ready by about 10 - 15 seconds; shortening the total time for passengers to check-in, go through security, and board the plane by 30 - 50%, from 17 - 27 minutes.

Passengers are encouraged to use new convenient services at Terminal T3 such as self-check-in counters, self-bag drop counters and biometric identification via the VNeID application.

PHOTO: INDEPENDENCE

In addition, T3 terminal also provides a variety of convenient services, from a rich culinary area, shopping to a comfortable waiting room; free drinking water fountains, phone charging areas, meeting the needs of work and entertainment for passengers while waiting at the airport.

To create the most convenience for people, Tan Son Nhat International Airport has organized a free bus route to move around the aircraft parking area, connecting directly from the transit hall of terminal T3 to gate A2 of terminal T1, operating from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. the next day, with a frequency of 20 minutes/trip, applicable to passengers who have completed procedures and have boarding passes.

In addition, passengers can also choose other suitable means of transportation such as technology cars, taxis or buses... The operating units at the port have also coordinated closely to handle arising problems and make appropriate adjustments.

"Tan Son Nhat International Airport has focused on stabilizing the operation process, ensuring absolute security and safety for flights and passengers. However, during the process of operating and completing some remaining items of the T3 passenger terminal, there were some water leakage incidents. The contractors have urgently fixed them, and are continuing to complete the stone floor item, expected to be completed on June 30 and will not affect daily operations at the terminal" - ACV representative added.

Play area for "summer block" at T3 terminal

Transforming the image of Ho Chi Minh City's international gateway

On a business trip to Nha Trang, Mr. Tran Anh Minh (38 years old, living in Ho Chi Minh City) took the opportunity to experience the new T3 terminal before taking his family on a summer vacation. As someone who has a lot of experience traveling by air, Mr. Minh had no difficulty finding his way to the terminal, going to the check-in counter and experiencing the new technology applications.

Mr. Minh's first impression of the new terminal was that it was so spacious and airy, so spacious that it made his legs tired, in stark contrast to the crowded, stuffy conditions at the old T1 terminal as well as some other airports across the country. "The terminal is airy, from the waiting area to the check-in counters, security screening... everything is spacious and clean. The biggest difference is that T3 terminal also has a play area for children. Next time families go on summer vacation, if the flight is unfortunately delayed for 1-2 hours, the children will have a place to entertain themselves, not just lying around and sitting like before. Hopefully, more airlines will move to the new terminal so that people have more opportunities to experience good aviation services like this" - Mr. Tran Anh Minh shared.

Filming and taking photos until their "memories are full" before the flight, Mai Linh and a group of 16-year-old friends excitedly posted on social media images of the new terminal T3 before the flight to Phu Quoc for the summer vacation at noon on May 28. "Luxurious, classy, ​​smooth, beautiful, 10 points, nothing to complain about" are the brief feelings of Mai Linh and her friends when talking about their impressions of the new terminal. "The high ceiling and light make the airport even more spacious and airy. The new terminal looks like the airport in Singapore. I am very happy that Vietnam has an airy airport and applies modern technology like other countries" - Mai Linh said.

The opening of Terminal T3 contributes to realizing the goal of developing Tan Son Nhat International Airport into a leading dynamic aviation center in Asia.

PHOTO: NL

Not only Vietnamese passengers, international tourists are also very impressed with Vietnam's brand new terminal. Traveling across Vietnam for 2 weeks with his close friends, Krzysztof expressed: "This airport exceeded our expectations. This terminal has many amenities, is beautiful and modern. You know, in the world there are not many new airports built like this. Like in Poland, we have an airport under construction and will be completed in 10 years. We also expect to welcome a new airport that is spacious, beautiful, modern and wonderful like in Vietnam".

From the image of a cramped and constantly congested gateway, Tan Son Nhat airport has transformed into a new symbol of aviation architecture, leaving an impression on international visitors as soon as they set foot in Ho Chi Minh City.

At Terminal 3, Vietnam Airlines has arranged check-in areas from counters 56 to 109, along with 22 self-check-in counters. The airline recommends that passengers proactively use new convenient services at Terminal 3 such as self-check-in counters, self-bag drop counters, and biometric identification through the VNeID application developed by the Ministry of Public Security. Using these modern check-in methods helps passengers save time, does not need to present documents, limits contact, and enhances a convenient and safe flight experience.

Vietnam Airlines representative assessed that moving all domestic operations to Terminal T3 not only improves Vietnam Airlines' service quality but also contributes to realizing the goal of developing Tan Son Nhat International Airport into a leading dynamic aviation center in Asia.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tan-son-nhat-het-lo-gong-minh-don-cao-diem-185250528220213952.htm