Many domestic flight check-in counters at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City saw long lines of passengers waiting for extended periods on Monday morning as Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) travel began.

At Tan Son Nhat’s domestic terminal, many airlines’ check-in counters were crowded, while the self-check-in kiosk area remained relatively empty.

By 9:35 am, the Pacific Airlines check-in counters in Hall A were overwhelmed with long lines of passengers waiting to check in. 

A similar situation occurred at the counters of Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet, while Bamboo Airways and Vietravel Airlines saw fewer passengers.

As in previous years, Vietnam Airlines had staff stationed at the entrance to manage the flow of passengers. 

For flights bound for Hanoi, Hai Phong, and Vinh City in Nghe An Province, passengers were directed to a separate lane. 

Ground service staff regularly announced flights approaching their check-in deadline, helping passengers avoid missing their flights.

Hall B, where Vietjet’s counters are located, was also busy. 

Despite opening all available counters, many passengers still had to wait in line for an extended period.

According to a ground service representative, the sudden surge in passengers during Tet, combined with more travelers checking in luggage than usual, has put significant pressure on the check-in counters.

Additionally, airlines have tightened hand luggage regulations at the boarding gates.

All services enhance operations

A representative from Tan Son Nhat International Airport stated that from January 14 to February 12, covering the Tet holiday period, the airport expects approximately 26,033 flights and four million passengers, including 1.5 million international travelers and 2.5 million domestic passengers.

The average daily number of flights is over 800, with peak days reaching up to 970 flights -- an increase of 6.2 percent compared to last year.

Thanks to improved infrastructure, the airport has adjusted flight slots, increasing capacity to 48 flights per hour during the day and 46 at night between January 21 and February 9, helping airlines boost their ticket supply by 18 percent.

The airport has also been coordinating closely with various units to manage operations, optimize traffic flows, and increase the number of service personnel.

Taxi and ride-hailing companies have pledged to increase the number of vehicles by 25 percent to meet the high demand.

Moreover, the airport continues to offer amenities like free Wi-Fi and drinking water, while improving service quality to ensure a comfortable experience for passengers during the peak season.

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