Back to Previous Page
Boeing 787, Vietnam’s largest aircraft, touches down at Long Thanh Airport for first technical test flight
A Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the largest wide-body aircraft currently operated by Vietnam Airlines, touched down at Long Thanh International Airport on Dec. 15, marking a key technical milestone as Vietnam’s biggest aviation project enters its final preparation phase.
Operating flight VN5001, the aircraft departed Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi at noon, stopped briefly at Tan Son Nhat in Ho Chi Minh City and then continued to Long Thanh for a comprehensive technical inspection flight. The plane landed at 4 p.m. and carried only flight crew and technical staff, as the mission focused on validating airport systems rather than passenger operations.
The test flight evaluated critical flight-operation infrastructure at Long Thanh, including navigation and communication systems, air traffic control coordination, aircraft handling procedures, and lighting systems for the runway, taxiways and apron. Coordination among airport operators, security forces and air traffic controllers was also assessed under real operating conditions.
According to the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), all core aviation infrastructure at Long Thanh meets International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. Precision landing systems (ILS/DME) and aeronautical lighting performed reliably throughout the operation, including during taxiing and apron procedures.
After landing, the aircraft was guided along designated taxiways and received a ceremonial water salute from airport fire trucks before parking. Ground crews then carried out a series of test scenarios, including the deployment of mobile stairs at the mid-cabin door to verify boarding and deplaning procedures. Safety personnel were stationed throughout the operation to ensure compliance with strict safety protocols.
The Dreamliner is set to depart Long Thanh at 6 p.m., returning to Tan Son Nhat as flight VN5002. Ahead of the test, airport units conducted extensive system checks, runway and apron inspections, and safety clearances, with additional monitoring planned for subsequent flights.
Following the successful technical inspection, three official flights operated by Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air and Bamboo Airways are scheduled to land at Long Thanh on Dec. 19, spaced roughly five minutes apart. Authorities say these flights will proceed only if all safety and operational benchmarks are fully met.
Phase one of Long Thanh International Airport spans 1,810 hectares and is designed to handle 25 million passengers and 1.2 million tons of cargo annually. Construction began in January 2021, with commercial operations expected to start in mid-2026.
Source: VnExpress
