On September 26, 2025, Long Thanh International Airport marked a significant milestone in its preparation to bring the country's largest airport into operation by conducting its first official calibration flight.

According to the flight plan, the calibration flights will take place from September 26 to October 24. The aircraft used is a specialized Beechcraft KingAir 300 series, chosen by many countries for calibration due to its flexible maneuverability, high stability, and ability to meet demanding technical requirements. The calibration flight team includes experts from the Air Traffic Technical Company Limited (ATTECH) and specialists from the Czech Air Navigation Institute.

A Beechcraft KingAir 300 aircraft approaches the runway at Long Thanh International Airport on the morning of September 26.

The scope of the operation includes flight checks and calibration of the ILS/DME equipment—a CAT II precision approach landing system compliant with ICAO standards—and testing the aviation signal light system along with the PAPI lights, which help pilots determine the correct landing angle and ensure safe runway operations at night. This is considered the final and mandatory inspection step before the navigation and lighting systems are officially put into service, aiming to ensure absolute safety for commercial flights.

The first calibration flight today (September 26) took off from Tan Son Nhat International Airport. By 6:00 AM, the flight had reached the airspace over Long Thanh to perform its test and calibration patterns. The process involved seamless coordination between the aircrew and the experienced team of ground experts, who were ready to adjust and fine-tune every parameter to ensure all systems operate at their optimal state.

Today, the aircraft will perform 30 continuous technical flight patterns, including approach, level flight, and go-around maneuvers, to verify navigation signals in accordance with ICAO regulations.

Calibration flights are a mandatory technical step to check, evaluate, and finalize the aviation equipment systems, ensuring absolute safety before Long Thanh International Airport officially begins operations.

The on-schedule deployment of these calibration flights affirms the determination of the Ministry of Construction, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, the Airports Corporation of Vietnam, the Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation, and other relevant units to ensure Long Thanh International Airport becomes operational in the first half of 2026. Long Thanh International Airport is set to become one of the leading modern international airports in the region, making a significant contribution to the nation's aviation and socio-economic development strategy.

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News, photos: Administration Department