A modern airport is not judged only by the large terminal or the long runway. What passengers feel most clearly is the smooth, fast and safe connection.
Currently, Tan Son Nhat has three terminals, but the interconnection is not commensurate. T1 and T3 are only more than 1km apart, but if passengers want to move from one terminal to another, they must pull their luggage out of the airport area, blend into the traffic outside and then return to check in.
In other words, to go from one terminal to another, you have to... leave the airport first. That is something that should not exist at the largest airport in the country.
That inconvenience not only makes passengers tired but also increases the risk of missing the flight, just encountering 20-30 minutes of congestion during rush hour, all plans can be disrupted. The elderly, children, and women carrying a lot of luggage are the most affected.
If there is an underground connection, passengers only need to move in the station area, do not have to pull suitcases across the road, do not have to worry about rain, sun, dust or traffic jams. Time is shortened, transit is more convenient and most importantly, safety is ensured throughout the journey.
Building a new T1 station is even more meaningful when the project has been in operation for many years, many items are degraded and no longer meet modern operation requirements. A new station not only increases capacity but also expands procedure space, applies digital technology, improves service quality and brings a more convenient experience to tens of millions of passengers each year.
More notably, Tan Son Nhat is not just an airport. This is the largest aviation gateway in Vietnam, a place that creates the first impression for millions of international tourists and investors. A modern, smartly connected, and professionally serviced airport is the face of a developing country.
The underground tunnel connecting T1 to T3 not only shortens the distance between the two stations, but also shortens the time, reduces inconvenience, increases safety and elevates the passenger experience.
Further, it is a shift from the mindset of building each project to the mindset of creating a modern, synchronous aviation system, putting people at the center and capable of competing with aviation centers in the region.
