The Da Nang International Terminal Investment and Operation Joint Stock Company (AHT), the manager of the Da Nang International Terminal (T2) at Da Nang International Airport, has just put the smart terminal model into operation. The initiative aims to improve passenger experience, optimise check-in procedures and enhance management efficiency.

Passengers implement automated check-in services at international passenger terminal T2 at Da Nang International Airport. Photo: THANH LAN

Present at the self check-in kiosks at the international passenger terminal T2 on April 3 morning, we found that many passengers were performing automated immigration procedures.

Mr. Ho Thanh Quy, a passenger travelling to South Korea, said he was very surprised at the application of the modern service at Da Nang International Airport. I thought that only developed countries like Germany, the US, the UK, South Korea and Japan could implement this advanced procedure.

Sharing the same thought, passenger Yong Sung Ok, a South Korean nationality, shared that the automated check-in, baggage drop-off and immigration counters help passengers save a lot of time in completing procedures compared to the traditional way. According to many passengers, it takes them only about one minute to complete these procedures.

Having just returned to Da Nang from Thailand, Mr. Le Huu Hiep did not have to queue as before to wait for handling immigration procedures. According to Mr. Hiep, almost all developed countries implement automated customs clearance procedures and Da Nang is the first city in Viet Nam to apply this model.

Currently, at the terminal T2, passengers can easily complete procedures with the Self Check-in Kiosks and then quickly check in their luggage at the Self Bag-drop counters. Immigration control steps are also significantly shortened thanks to the Autogate.

Passengers can board the plane seamlessly through the automated boarding gate, helping reduce manual operations and optimise travel time. This improvement is thanks to the application of the smart terminal model. In 2024, the AHT collaborated with FPT Software to deploy the smart terminal model at Terminal T2 by implementing various advanced technologies, including self-check-in kiosks, automated boarding gates, an AI-powered security analytics system and multi-lingual operating screens, contributing to improving the experience for international visitors.

According to leaders at AHT, as technology continues to transform how people travel and connect, Da Nang International Airport is affirming itself as a leader by applying modern technological solutions for operations and passenger services. AHT has sponsored eight automatic immigration gates for the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security which are installed in two phases. Accordingly, the first four gates were handed over and became operational immediately after the handover ceremony on March 20, whilst the remaining four gates will be installed and completed in the near future. With this achievement, Da Nang International Airport has successfully implemented 100% automatic check-in procedures, from "check-in" to boarding.

"This is an important milestone in improving the passenger experience and demonstrating the airport's commitment to applying advanced technology to optimise operations, thereby bringing maximum convenience to passengers", said a AHT representative.

In addition, the airport is also equipped with a video call kiosk system and a multilingual information lookup screen, aimed at helping passengers easily search for information about flights, services and amenities. This is also an important connection channel for the airport to receive feedback from customers in order to continuously improve service quality.

Moreover, AI security camera systems are deployed at check-in areas to measure passenger density in real time. This data is sent to the operations department to quickly implement regulatory measures, reduce congestion, and optimise check-in times. As a result of improved service quality, Terminal 2 at Da Nang International Airport received Skytrax's 5-star standard certification in both 2024 and 2025.

In order to meet the increasing needs of passengers, AHT is proposing to the municipal People's Committee and relevant agencies to implement the project to expand the T2 terminal scheduled to start on September 2 to mark the 80^th anniversary of National Day (September 2). The highlight of the project is the balance between traditional check-in counters and automated systems, giving passengers more options and optimising check-in time.

With a total area of ​​52,000m², Terminal T2 has a modern design inspired by the image of a seagull. The VND about 3,500 billion project was put into operation in 2017 to serve major international events, including the APEC Economic Leaders' Week.

The terminal meets international standards, featuring separate areas for departing and arriving passengers. AHT collaborates with numerous domestic and international airlines to serve millions of passengers each year.

As a crucial gateway connecting Da Nang to the world, AHT contributes significantly to the development of the aviation industry while also boosting the economy, tourism, and international trade. With its long-term vision, AHT is committed to innovation, enhancing service quality, and expanding infrastructure capacity in a bid to make Da Nang a leading aviation hub and an attractive destination in the region.

On April 22, 2024, international passenger terminal at Da Nang International Airport, and FPT Software, signed a cooperation agreement focused on digital transformation, aiming to develop a smart airport terminal that promotes short-term digital advancements and paves the way for comprehensive modernisation in the long term.

Reporting by PHUONG UYEN - Translating by M.DUNG, V.DUNG