HCM City braces for traffic congestion around airport amid Tết rush

Traffic snarl on streets leading to Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport in HCM City. VNA Photo

HCM CITY – HCM City and aviation authorities have taken a number of measures to ensure security and ease congestion at Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport before, during and after the Tết (Lunar New Year) rush in February.

The New Year falls on February 10.

According to the airport administration, between January 25 and February 24 ground services are likely to be provided to over 4.5 million passengers, 14.25 per cent more than last year.

The number of flights during the period would be 866 a day, it added.

Congestion should be expected at the domestic terminal during the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, the Civil Aviation Authority of Việt Nam said.

To ensure passengers are not delayed, its deputy head, Phạm Văn Hảo, urged airlines to proactively review plans, strengthen control measures and comply with confirmed slots to minimise flight plan changes and flight delays and cancellations.

If flight times are changed, airlines must promptly inform the airport and passengers, he said.

Passengers should not arrive at the airport too early and tell their families not to visit in large numbers to pick them up to avoid overcrowding, he said.

Passengers are also encouraged to check in online, he said.

The city Department of Transport has identified traffic “hotspots” during the Tết month, and a committee comprising officials from various agencies has been set up to ensure traffic flows smoothly there.

The hotspots include the Lăng Cha Cả roundabout, Hoàng Văn Thụ-Nguyễn Văn Trỗi-Phan Đình Giót intersection and Trường Sơn intersection.

The surge in the number of overseas Vietnamese returning home also causes traffic congestion around the airport.

The department has urged other agencies not to undertake repair works in the area between 6am and 10pm during the month except in unavoidable cases.

Inspectors from the department have been instructed to co-ordinate with the traffic police to penalise violators.

Bus routes would be adjusted and more buses would operate to and from the airport during the month, the department added. – VNS