Hanoi (VNA) – The Hanoi–Ho Chi Minh City air route has once again secured its spot among the world’s 10 busiest domestic routes, as Noi Bai International Airport reports surging passenger numbers and major service upgrades in the first half of 2025, the airport has reported.
During the first half of 2025, the Hanoi-based airport handled more than 100,000 flights with 16.5 million passengers. Notably, international terminal T2 processed over 7 million international passengers in the reviewed period, beyond its current annual design capacity of 10 million. The terminal is currently undergoing phased expansion to raise its capacity to 15 million passengers per year.
Despite mounting operational pressure, the airport maintained a 74% on-time performance (OTP) rate over the 12-month period from June 1, 2024 to May 31, 2025. The majority of flight delays (93.8%) were attributed to airline operational issues. Other contributing factors included air traffic control (2.5%), weather (1.8%), airport equipment or services (0.8%), and miscellaneous causes (1.1%).
Airport authorities have acknowledged the need to improve OTP rates and are working closely with airlines and ground service providers to implement coordinated solutions.
Since February 1, 2024, Noi Bai airport has implemented Phase 1 of the Airport Collaborative Decision-Making (A-CDM) model. The initiative promotes real-time information sharing and joint decision-making among stakeholders, ensuring smoother and more predictable flight operations.
In the first six months, over 100,000 flights have been managed through the system, helping to optimise runway and gate usage, reduce ground delays, and improve schedule reliability.
The airport is collaborating with the Air Traffic Flow Management Centre (ATFMC), airlines, and ground units to roll out Level 3 multi-node Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) in Vietnam. This approach allows greater flexibility in adjusting flight schedules and helps reduce airborne holding during adverse conditions such as weather disruptions, military exercises, or national events.
Meanwhile, the expansion of terminal T2 is being fast-tracked in a rolling construction format that allows operations to continue during the build. The project, expected to be completed by the end of 2025, is anticipated to ease congestion, create more spacious passenger areas, and significantly boost the airport's service capacity.
The airport is reviewing the operations of franchisees businesses, requiring them to ensure service quality, clearly list prices, and maintain professional staff conduct. Violations will be handled according to contracts. It continues to invest in technology to increase convenience such as implementing biometric check-in procedures on the VNeID platform, equipping an automatic check-in kiosk system, and the ACV iCute online check-in platform to enhance the experience for passengers.
Emphasising that security and safety are always top priorities, the leaders of Noi Bai International Airport said it continued to receive "good" assessments from eight international airlines and the Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority in the first half this year.
The airport remains committed to making continuous efforts and working closely with partners in the aviation industry to deliver positive changes in the coming period, with the goal of providing passengers with ever-better service. These comprehensive efforts have earned well-deserved recognition. In 2025, the prestigious global aviation rating organisation Skytrax ranked Noi Bai Airport 79th among the world’s Top 100 airports, up 17 places from the previous year./.
