Brian Jeffrey
The Tet 2025 travel season at Tan Son Nhat Airport is expected to be exceptionally busy, based on flight schedules and airline bookings from January 15.
From January 31 to February 6, corresponding to the 23rd to 29th days of the Lunar calendar, the airport is projected to manage 820 to 900 flights per day.
The peak day will likely be Lunar December 24 (February 2), with a record of 901 flights, while Lunar December 29 (February 7) will have the fewest at 823 flights.
Travelers will also see a significant uptick, particularly on Lunar December 26 and 27, with approximately 150,000 passengers expected, marking a 12.7% increase compared to the busiest day during Tet in 2024.
After Tet, the flight frequency will stay high, ranging from 830 to 917 flights daily between January 1 to January 6 of the Lunar calendar. The busiest post-Tet day, Lunar January 5 (February 13), is forecasted to accommodate over 155,000 travelers, a 4% increase compared to the highest post-Tet day in 2024.
Steps to Manage Increased Demand
In preparation for this surge, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAA) has implemented various measures since October 2024 to enhance airport capacity and assist airlines with extra resources, including more aircraft and backup plans.
To alleviate congestion, night flights are being maximized. Vietnam Airlines plans more than 1,500 night flights, while Vietjet Air aims for 1,590, primarily linking Ho Chi Minh City with northern and central regions.
With the expected increase in air traffic, the CAA urges passengers to be aware of flight schedules, adhere to check-in times, and follow safety and security protocols.
For international flights, check-in counters will open three hours prior to departure, and for domestic flights, two hours ahead. Travelers should ensure their arrival at the airport is well-timed to prevent missing their flights.
The rise in the number of flights and passengers at Tan Son Nhat highlights the increasing demand for air travel during Tet. With more than 6,100 flights and nearly 900,000 passengers, Tet 2025 promises to break previous records in the Vietnamese aviation sector.
N. Huyen
