Tan Son Nhat International Airport
Encyclopedia
Tan Son Nhat International Airport is Vietnam
's largest international airport
in terms of area (800 ha (1,977 acre) compared with 650 ha (1,606 acre) of Hanoi
's Noi Bai International Airport
and Da Nang
's Da Nang International Airport
). It has a handling capacity of 15-17 million passengers per year, compared with the capacity of Hanoi - Noi Bai airport of 8 million passengers and Da Nang's 2 million passengers. It is also the largest airport of Vietnam in terms of passengers handled (with an estimated number of over 12.5 million passengers per year in 2009, accounting for more than half of Vietnam's air passenger traffic), serving Ho Chi Minh City
as well as Dong Nam Bo
in southern Vietnam. Its IATA code SGN was derived from the city's former name of Saigon. In 2010, the airport handled 15,500,000 passengers and 130,547 aircraft movements.
's principal international gateway. During the Vietnam War
(or Second Indochina War), Tan Son Nhut Air Base
(then using the alternative spelling Tân Sơn Nhứt) was an important facility for both the U.S. Air Force and the South Vietnamese Air Force. Between 1968 and 1974, Tan Son Nhut Airport was one of the busiest military airbases in the world. During the last days of South Vietnam, Pan Am
schedules from 1973 showed Boeing 747
service was being operated four times a week to San Francisco via Guam
and Manila
. Continental Airlines
operated up to 30 Boeing 707
military charters per week to and from Tan Son Nhut Airport during the 1968–74 period.
became the first U.S. airline to fly to Vietnam since Pan Am's last flight during the Fall of Saigon
in April 1975. Flight UA 869, operated using a Boeing 747-400
, landed at Ho Chi Minh City, the terminus of the flight that originated from San Francisco via Hong Kong
. On 29 October 2006, this service was switched from San Francisco to Los Angeles with a stop in Hong Kong, operating as UA 867 (also using a Boeing 747-400). In 2009, the service UA 869 has resumed once again from San Francisco via Hong Kong International Airport
. United ceased the route to San Francisco via Hong Kong on 30 October 2011. However, Continental Airlines
now flies from Ho Chi Minh City to Tokyo-Narita via Hong Kong using a Boeing 737-800 as part of the merger between UNITED and Continental.
In 2006, Tan Son Nhat International Airport served approximately 8.5 million passengers (compared with 7 million in 2005) with 64,000 aircraft movements. It has recently accounted for nearly two thirds of the arrivals and departures at Vietnam's international gateway airports. Due to increasing demand (about 15%-20% per annum), the airport has been continuously expanded by the Southern Airports Corporation.
Tan Son Nhat International Airport served 12.4 million passengers in 2008, compared to 11 million in 2007 and 15.5 million passenger in 2010. In 2010, the domestic terminal handled 8 million passengers which reached its maximum capacity. In the 4th quarter of 2011, the domestic terminal will be expanded to be capable to handle 15 million domestic passengers per annum. According to the new expansion plan announced by the Vietnamese government, the airport will be enlarged to provide facilities and space for approximately 70 aircraft, 23.5 million passengers, and 600,000 tonnes of cargo per annum by 2015.
A new international terminal funded by Japan
ese ODA
and constructed by a consortium of four Japanese contractors (KTOM, abbreviation of four contractors' names: Kajima – Taisei – Obayashi Corporation – Maeda
), opened in September 2007 with a capacity for 8–10 million passengers a year. The new terminal gives the airport a total annual capacity of 15–17 million passengers. The old terminal is now used for domestic flights. After 2020, when Long Thanh International Airport
is completed, Tan Son Nhat will remain operational; however, it will mostly serve for domestic flights, a few international flights and no longer serve transit flights.
is completed in 2015, Tan Son Nhat will serve domestic passengers only.
The Prime Minister of Vietnam
, by Decision 1646/TTg-NN, has approved the addition of 30 hectares (74 acre) of adjacent area to extend the apron and to build a cargo terminal to handle the rapid increase of passenger (expected to reach 17 million in 2010, compared to 7 million and 8.5 million in 2005 and 2006 respectively) and cargo volume at the airport.
Following a recent decision by the Vietnamese Prime Minister, a new airport—Long Thanh International Airport
—will replace Tan Son Nhat airport for international departure use. The master plan for the new airport was approved in April 2006. The new airport will be built in Long Thanh county, Dong Nai province, about 50 km (31 mi) northeast of Ho Chi Minh City and 70 km (43 mi) northwest of the petroleum-focused city of Vung Tau, near Highway 51A.
Long Thanh International Airport will be constructed on an area of 50 square kilometres (19 sq mi), and will have four runways (4,000 m x 60 m or 13,100 ft x 200 ft) and be capable of receiving the Airbus A380
. The project will be divided in two stages. Stage One calls for the construction of two parallel runways and a terminal with a capacity of 20 million passengers per year, due to be completed in 2020. Stage Two is scheduled for completion in 2035, giving the airport with three passenger terminals and a cargo terminal designed to receive 5 million metric tons of cargo per year. The total invested capital of this project is an estimated $8 billion USD.
Upon completion of Long Thanh International Airport, Tan Son Nhat Airport will serve domestic passengers only. Long Thanh International Airport is expected to be the leading airport on the Indochinese peninsula, and one of the busiest air transportation hubs in the southeast Asian region.
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
's largest international airport
International airport
An international airport is any airport that can accommodate flights from other countries and are typically equipped with customs and immigration facilities to handle these flights to and from other countries...
in terms of area (800 ha (1,977 acre) compared with 650 ha (1,606 acre) of Hanoi
Hanoi
Hanoi , is the capital of Vietnam and the country's second largest city. Its population in 2009 was estimated at 2.6 million for urban districts, 6.5 million for the metropolitan jurisdiction. From 1010 until 1802, it was the most important political centre of Vietnam...
's Noi Bai International Airport
Noi Bai International Airport
Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is the largest in the north of the country. It is 28 miles from the city centre. The travel time from the city centre is 30–45 minutes.-Facilities:...
and Da Nang
Da Nang
Đà Nẵng , occasionally Danang, is a major port city in the South Central Coast of Vietnam, on the coast of the South China Sea at the mouth of the Han River. It is the commercial and educational center of Central Vietnam; its well-sheltered, easily accessible port and its location on the path of...
's Da Nang International Airport
Da Nang International Airport
Da Nang International Airport is located in Da Nang, the largest city in central Vietnam. It is the third international airport in the country, besides Noi Bai International Airport and Tan Son Nhat International Airport , and is an important gateway to access central Vietnam.In addition to its...
). It has a handling capacity of 15-17 million passengers per year, compared with the capacity of Hanoi - Noi Bai airport of 8 million passengers and Da Nang's 2 million passengers. It is also the largest airport of Vietnam in terms of passengers handled (with an estimated number of over 12.5 million passengers per year in 2009, accounting for more than half of Vietnam's air passenger traffic), serving Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City , formerly named Saigon is the largest city in Vietnam...
as well as Dong Nam Bo
Dong Nam Bo
Đông Nam Bộ is a region in Vietnam. This region includes one municipality, Ho Chi Minh City; and five provinces: Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, Binh Phuoc and Tay Ninh. This region is the most economically developed region in Vietnam...
in southern Vietnam. Its IATA code SGN was derived from the city's former name of Saigon. In 2010, the airport handled 15,500,000 passengers and 130,547 aircraft movements.
History
Tan Son Nhat International Airport has its origins in the early 1930s, when the French colonial government constructed a small airport with unpaved runways, known as Tân Sơn Nhất Airfield near the village of Tan Son Nhat. By mid-1956, with U.S. aid, a 7200 feet (2,194.6 m) runway had been built and the airfield near Saigon became known as South VietnamSouth Vietnam
South Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
's principal international gateway. During the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
(or Second Indochina War), Tan Son Nhut Air Base
Tan Son Nhut Air Base
Tan Son Nhut Air Base was a Republic of Vietnam Air Force facility. It is located near the city of Saigon in southern Vietnam. The United States used it as a major base during the Vietnam War , stationing Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine units there...
(then using the alternative spelling Tân Sơn Nhứt) was an important facility for both the U.S. Air Force and the South Vietnamese Air Force. Between 1968 and 1974, Tan Son Nhut Airport was one of the busiest military airbases in the world. During the last days of South Vietnam, Pan Am
Pan American World Airways
Pan American World Airways, commonly known as Pan Am, was the principal and largest international air carrier in the United States from 1927 until its collapse on December 4, 1991...
schedules from 1973 showed Boeing 747
Boeing 747
The Boeing 747 is a wide-body commercial airliner and cargo transport, often referred to by its original nickname, Jumbo Jet, or Queen of the Skies. It is among the world's most recognizable aircraft, and was the first wide-body ever produced...
service was being operated four times a week to San Francisco via Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
and Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
. Continental Airlines
Continental Airlines
Continental Airlines was a major American airline now merged with United Airlines. On May 3, 2010, Continental Airlines, Inc. and UAL, Inc. announced a merger via a stock swap, and on October 1, 2010, the merger closed and UAL changed its name to United Continental Holdings, Inc...
operated up to 30 Boeing 707
Boeing 707
The Boeing 707 is a four-engine narrow-body commercial passenger jet airliner developed by Boeing in the early 1950s. Its name is most commonly pronounced as "Seven Oh Seven". The first airline to operate the 707 was Pan American World Airways, inaugurating the type's first commercial flight on...
military charters per week to and from Tan Son Nhut Airport during the 1968–74 period.
Post-war era
On 9 December 2004, United AirlinesUnited Airlines
United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees (which includes the entire holding company United Continental...
became the first U.S. airline to fly to Vietnam since Pan Am's last flight during the Fall of Saigon
Fall of Saigon
The Fall of Saigon was the capture of Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam, by the People's Army of Vietnam and the National Liberation Front on April 30, 1975...
in April 1975. Flight UA 869, operated using a Boeing 747-400
Boeing 747-400
The Boeing 747-400 is a major development and the best-selling model of the Boeing 747 family of jet airliners. While retaining the four-engine wide-body layout of its predecessors, the 747-400 embodies numerous technological and structural changes to produce a more efficient airframe...
, landed at Ho Chi Minh City, the terminus of the flight that originated from San Francisco via Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. On 29 October 2006, this service was switched from San Francisco to Los Angeles with a stop in Hong Kong, operating as UA 867 (also using a Boeing 747-400). In 2009, the service UA 869 has resumed once again from San Francisco via Hong Kong International Airport
Hong Kong International Airport
Hong Kong International Airport is the main airport in Hong Kong. It is colloquially known as Chek Lap Kok Airport , being built on the island of Chek Lap Kok by land reclamation, and also to distinguish it from its predecessor, the closed Kai Tak Airport.The airport opened for commercial...
. United ceased the route to San Francisco via Hong Kong on 30 October 2011. However, Continental Airlines
Continental Airlines
Continental Airlines was a major American airline now merged with United Airlines. On May 3, 2010, Continental Airlines, Inc. and UAL, Inc. announced a merger via a stock swap, and on October 1, 2010, the merger closed and UAL changed its name to United Continental Holdings, Inc...
now flies from Ho Chi Minh City to Tokyo-Narita via Hong Kong using a Boeing 737-800 as part of the merger between UNITED and Continental.
In 2006, Tan Son Nhat International Airport served approximately 8.5 million passengers (compared with 7 million in 2005) with 64,000 aircraft movements. It has recently accounted for nearly two thirds of the arrivals and departures at Vietnam's international gateway airports. Due to increasing demand (about 15%-20% per annum), the airport has been continuously expanded by the Southern Airports Corporation.
Tan Son Nhat International Airport served 12.4 million passengers in 2008, compared to 11 million in 2007 and 15.5 million passenger in 2010. In 2010, the domestic terminal handled 8 million passengers which reached its maximum capacity. In the 4th quarter of 2011, the domestic terminal will be expanded to be capable to handle 15 million domestic passengers per annum. According to the new expansion plan announced by the Vietnamese government, the airport will be enlarged to provide facilities and space for approximately 70 aircraft, 23.5 million passengers, and 600,000 tonnes of cargo per annum by 2015.
New international terminal
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese ODA
ODA
*ODA or Oda may refer to:*Oda , a typical Albanian room*Oda , is a room within harem especially in the Ottoman Empire- Computing :* Open Data Center Alliance - Data Center and Cloud Infrastructure Standards...
and constructed by a consortium of four Japanese contractors (KTOM, abbreviation of four contractors' names: Kajima – Taisei – Obayashi Corporation – Maeda
Maeda
Maeda is a Japanese surname. An archaic romanization includes Mayeda. It can refer to:-Maeda clan:One of the traditional Japanese clans and prominent family during the Sengoku period of Japanese history:...
), opened in September 2007 with a capacity for 8–10 million passengers a year. The new terminal gives the airport a total annual capacity of 15–17 million passengers. The old terminal is now used for domestic flights. After 2020, when Long Thanh International Airport
Long Thanh International Airport
Long Thanh International Airport is an airport planned for construction in Long Thanh, Dong Nai Province, southern Vietnam, approx 40 km northeast of Ho Chi Minh City. It is intended to become operational by 2020...
is completed, Tan Son Nhat will remain operational; however, it will mostly serve for domestic flights, a few international flights and no longer serve transit flights.
Facilities
Following the opening of its new international terminal in September 2007, Tan Son Nhat has two major terminal buildings with separate sections for international and domestic flights. The capacity of the new terminal, once fully completed, will be 8 million passengers per annum. When Long Thanh International AirportLong Thanh International Airport
Long Thanh International Airport is an airport planned for construction in Long Thanh, Dong Nai Province, southern Vietnam, approx 40 km northeast of Ho Chi Minh City. It is intended to become operational by 2020...
is completed in 2015, Tan Son Nhat will serve domestic passengers only.
The Prime Minister of Vietnam
Prime Minister of Vietnam
-Office:The Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is the head of the executive branch of the Vietnamese government. The Prime Minister presides over the Vietnamese cabinet, and is responsible for appointing and supervising ministers...
, by Decision 1646/TTg-NN, has approved the addition of 30 hectares (74 acre) of adjacent area to extend the apron and to build a cargo terminal to handle the rapid increase of passenger (expected to reach 17 million in 2010, compared to 7 million and 8.5 million in 2005 and 2006 respectively) and cargo volume at the airport.
Terminals, airlines and destinations
Domestic flights operate from Terminal 1, whilst international flights use Terminal 2.Passenger
Notes:- : Air FranceAir FranceAir France , stylised as AIRFRANCE, is the French flag carrier headquartered in Tremblay-en-France, , and is one of the world's largest airlines. It is a subsidiary of the Air France-KLM Group and a founding member of the SkyTeam global airline alliance...
's flight from Paris CDG to Phnom Penh service will be via Ho Chi Minh City on 25 March 2012 . Air France doesn't have local traffic rights on Ho Chi Minh - Phnom Penh sector.
- : Continental AirlinesContinental AirlinesContinental Airlines was a major American airline now merged with United Airlines. On May 3, 2010, Continental Airlines, Inc. and UAL, Inc. announced a merger via a stock swap, and on October 1, 2010, the merger closed and UAL changed its name to United Continental Holdings, Inc...
operates a route from Ho Chi Minh City to Tokyo-Narita via Hong Kong only if passengers are connecting to and from the United States. Continental, however, does not traffic rights on the Ho Chi Minh - Tokyo Narita segment.
Cargo airlines
Statistics
| Rank | Destinations | Frequency (Weekly) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Singapore |
112 |
| 2 |  Bangkok |
63 |
| 3 |  Kuala Lumpur |
56 |
| 4 |  Tokyo |
42 |
| 5 |  Taipei |
37 |
| 6 |  Seoul |
35 |
| 6 |  Siem Reap |
35 |
| 8 |  Hong Kong |
25 |
| 9 |  Guangzhou |
21 |
| 9 | Phnom Penh |
21 |
| 11 | Busan |
14 |
| 11 |  Manila |
14 |
| 11 | Shanghai-Pudong |
14 |
| 14 |  Jakarta |
11 |
| 14 |  Sydney |
11 |
| 16 |  Vientiane |
10 |
| 17 | Kaohsiung |
9 |
| 17 |  Moscow (Domodedovo + Sheremetyevo) |
9 |
| 17 | Taichung |
9 |
| 20 |  Paris |
8 |
| 21 |  Doha |
7 |
| 21 |  Frankfurt |
7 |
| 21 | Melbourne |
7 |
| 21 | Osaka |
7 |
| Rank | Destinations | Frequency (Weekly) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hanoi | 374 (+14 begins 25 December) |
| 2 | Da Nang | 104 |
| 3 | Phu Quoc | 67 |
| 4 | Hai Phong | 42 |
| 5 | Vinh | 38 |
| 6 | Buon Ma Thuot | 36 |
| 7 | Con Dao | 33 |
| 8 | Pleiku | 30 |
| 9 | Hue | 28 |
| 9 | Nha Trang | 28 |
| 11 | Da Lat | 21 |
| 11 | Qui Nhon | 21 |
The airport's future
Tan Son Nhat International Airport is located inside the crowded city of Ho Chi Minh City, making expansions difficult.Following a recent decision by the Vietnamese Prime Minister, a new airport—Long Thanh International Airport
Long Thanh International Airport
Long Thanh International Airport is an airport planned for construction in Long Thanh, Dong Nai Province, southern Vietnam, approx 40 km northeast of Ho Chi Minh City. It is intended to become operational by 2020...
—will replace Tan Son Nhat airport for international departure use. The master plan for the new airport was approved in April 2006. The new airport will be built in Long Thanh county, Dong Nai province, about 50 km (31 mi) northeast of Ho Chi Minh City and 70 km (43 mi) northwest of the petroleum-focused city of Vung Tau, near Highway 51A.
Long Thanh International Airport will be constructed on an area of 50 square kilometres (19 sq mi), and will have four runways (4,000 m x 60 m or 13,100 ft x 200 ft) and be capable of receiving the Airbus A380
Airbus A380
The Airbus A380 is a double-deck, wide-body, four-engine jet airliner manufactured by the European corporation Airbus, a subsidiary of EADS. It is the largest passenger airliner in the world. Due to its size, many airports had to modify and improve facilities to accommodate it...
. The project will be divided in two stages. Stage One calls for the construction of two parallel runways and a terminal with a capacity of 20 million passengers per year, due to be completed in 2020. Stage Two is scheduled for completion in 2035, giving the airport with three passenger terminals and a cargo terminal designed to receive 5 million metric tons of cargo per year. The total invested capital of this project is an estimated $8 billion USD.
Upon completion of Long Thanh International Airport, Tan Son Nhat Airport will serve domestic passengers only. Long Thanh International Airport is expected to be the leading airport on the Indochinese peninsula, and one of the busiest air transportation hubs in the southeast Asian region.
See also
- Bombing of Tan Son Nhat AirportBombing of Tan Son Nhat AirportThe bombing of Tan Son Nhut Air Base occurred on April 28, 1975, just two days before the Fall of Saigon. The bombing operation was carried out by the Vietnam People's Air Force Quyet Thang Squadron, using captured Republic of Vietnam Air Force A-37 aircraft flown by VPAF pilots and RVNAF...
- Da Nang International AirportDa Nang International AirportDa Nang International Airport is located in Da Nang, the largest city in central Vietnam. It is the third international airport in the country, besides Noi Bai International Airport and Tan Son Nhat International Airport , and is an important gateway to access central Vietnam.In addition to its...
- Long Thanh International AirportLong Thanh International AirportLong Thanh International Airport is an airport planned for construction in Long Thanh, Dong Nai Province, southern Vietnam, approx 40 km northeast of Ho Chi Minh City. It is intended to become operational by 2020...
- Noi Bai International AirportNoi Bai International AirportNoi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is the largest in the north of the country. It is 28 miles from the city centre. The travel time from the city centre is 30–45 minutes.-Facilities:...
- List of airports in Vietnam
External links
- Tan Son Nhat Airport Official Website
- Southern Airports Corporation Official Website (SAC)
- Saigon Ground Services official website, a subsidiary of SAC
- Tan Son Nhat International Airport Ground Services (TIAGS) official website; a subsidiary of Vietnam Airlines
- Tan Son Nhat airport - Terminals
- News Item on Fire at Airport on Monday 27 October 2008