Looks like Vietnam’s airport traffic have gone a long way over the last decade. National statistics along with reports from AOG, a globally-recognized provider for air transport industry information, concludes how air traffic in the country has grown rapidly compared to 10 years back. Records show that from 1998 to 2008, the number of passengers in Vietnam’s busiest airports quadrupled. The figures were around 20 million some two years ago and are steadily rising up to present. However, from the same statistics, about 80% of flights and over 85% of the total seat capacity are concentrated at just three airports; T

an Son Nhat airport serving Ho Chi Minh City, Noi Bai airport serving ${bigcity_Hanoi:"Hanoi"} and Da Nang airport - - - known the major airports in Vietnam, and the only three offering international services. The remaining airports in the country offer only domestic flights. With that, traffic in these major airports have moved on a quite fast pace. The growth of Vietnam Airlines has a big hand on the increase of passenger traffic on these key routes, as well as to domestic destinations. Indeed, it may be great news for the aviation industry and for the economy in general.

But along with every good thing come several downsides to it. Such same traffic has been causing inconvenience to the many airline passengers. Though most flights take off as scheduled, landing could be a different story. Announcements of landing delays, mostly for around 10 minutes, sometimes even for 20 to 30 minutes, is becoming a frequent experience for travelers. That is because aircrafts often have to wait for other planes to land before making their turn. Though frequent flyers may have been accustomed to the practice, many still find it ultimately inconvenient.

Business people who occasionally make trip to catch meeting in major cities could often arrive late. It could also give negative impressions on tourists arriving to the country especially for the first time. And for travelers who are on board for more personal trips, the delays could be greatly frustrating one way or another. In fact, the air traffic congestion problem was already noted for the past several years now when big international airports started receiving more aircrafts to serve the increasing travel demands of passengers. But the concern is not limited to the international-serving airports.

Authorities from Vietnam Airlines also admit on delays to its many domestic air routes. Lai Xuan Thanh, Deputy Director of the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV), himself admits on the lack of aircraft parking spaces which is presently a major problem for the aviation management agency. Their office is considering several projects to expand and upgrade existing airports, of which, will yet have to take considerable time and capital to be able to implement. If air carriers continue to charter or purchase more airplanes to upgrade their fleet while the infrastructure does not improve, looks like the problem would grow worse than expected. Tan Son Nhat airport can currently serve 150 flights every day, while Noi Bai can serve nearly 90 flights.

The projects to build a T2 terminal at Tan Son Nhat and a T1 terminal at Noi Bai are currently underway. For now, both airports admit on being ’overloaded’. Despite the slow improvements on facilities to accommodate the growing number of aircrafts, airline companies continue to push through with their plans in upgrading their fleet. The private airline Mekong Air will receive its first aircraft this month and will provide commercial flights in October, about the same time with Vietjet Air with plans of growing its fleet to 16 airbuses by 2014. National air carrier Vietnam Airlines is also looking at adding more than 40 planes by 2015. Existing airline carriers wouldn’t wanna be left our either. They themselves have laid out their individual agenda on purchasing new airplanes to upgrade their fleets while private airlines are attempting to join the market. Over 40 international airlines currently operate in Vietnam, not to include the growing number of private planes owned by businessmen. Just recently, T&T Football Club has announced it will purchase a private aircraft. Two other prominent men in HCM City and Hanoi are also planning to buy private airplanes. With that, air traffic congestion looks like it will be beyond control anytime soon unless something is done, and quick. Now who says you’ve escaped road traffic? You might have, but air traffic is catching up really quick.