Exceeding the 1,000 flights/day mark, Tan Son Nhat activates a special plan.

In the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year), the airspace around Tan Son Nhat Airport recorded the highest density of activity ever. On February 11, 2026, the Tan Son Nhat Airport Approach Control Center (APP Tan Son Nhat) safely managed 1,055 flights – a record number for this area.

Air traffic at Tan Son Nhat airport reached unprecedented levels during the peak Tet holiday season of 2026. Photo: AP

The pressure is not expected to subside. According to the Air Traffic Management Center, during the next three peak days (February 13, 14, and 15, or the 26th-28th of the 12th lunar month), flight traffic will continue to remain very high, estimated at 1,075, 1,056, and 1,053 flights per day, respectively. Of these, the 26th of the 12th lunar month is identified as the period with the highest operational volume in the entire pre-Tet period.

Maintaining over 1,000 flights per day for several consecutive days demonstrates the immense pressure on the air traffic control system at one of the busiest airports in the country.

Activate peak operation plan.

To cope with the surge in traffic, Tan Son Nhat Airport's flight operations management system has implemented a peak Tet holiday flight operation plan, focusing maximally on ensuring safety and maintaining continuous operations.

Maximum manpower is mobilized, and leave is minimized during peak periods. On-site and remote (on-call) backup teams are always ready to reinforce services in case of traffic surges or unusual situations.

In flight departure operations, the Airport Coordinated Decision-Making (A-CDM) process is strictly implemented, enabling units from air traffic control and airports to airlines to share data and optimize each operational stage. The flexible operation of two parallel runways also contributes to maintaining throughput capacity during peak hours and minimizing cascading delays.

For incoming flights, the Tan Son Nhat APP regularly coordinates with the Air Traffic Control Center to allocate landing times according to time slots, especially when the predicted traffic volume exceeds the handling capacity. Simultaneously, it coordinates with the Regional Air Traffic Management Center 3 to optimize airspace utilization and maintain stable air traffic flow throughout its assigned area.

Emergency response plans are also regularly reviewed, trained, and rehearsed, ensuring the ability to respond under all operating conditions. Maintaining a volume of over 1,050 flights per day during the days leading up to Tet further demonstrates the organizational, operational, and coordination capabilities of the Tan Son Nhat air traffic control force.

Vietnamnet.vn

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/vuot-moc-1-000-chuyen-bay-ngay-tan-son-nhat-kich-hoat-phuong-an-dac-biet-2490250.html