The city submitted the proposal to the government after assessing several connection options. Under the plan, passengers would travel from Tan Son Nhat to Ba Queo Station on Metro Line 2 (Tham Luong-Ben Thanh-Thu Thiem) and then continue to Long Thanh International Airport via the Thu Thiem-Long Thanh Railway.

The HCM City People’s Committee said Metro Line 2 provides a key advantage because it passes through Ben Thanh Station in the city centre, which connects to urban rail lines 1, 2, 3, and 4, enabling smooth passenger transfers.

Metro Line 2 will include the 11-kilometre Ben Thanh-Tham Luong segment, scheduled to begin construction late this year and finish by 2032, and the 6-kilometre Ben Thanh-Thu Thiem section, which will follow underground routes to simplify land clearance and accelerate progress.

The committee also plans to develop Metro Line 6 to further improve airport connectivity. The new line would include three stations at Tan Son Nhat, link with Metro Line 2 at Ba Queo, pass through Thu Thiem, and continue along the Thu Thiem-Long Thanh rail line to reach Long Thanh International Airport.

To speed up implementation, the city is seeking cooperation with Dong Nai Province and relevant agencies, particularly on procedures for the Thu Thiem-Long Thanh Railway. It also aims to attract qualified investors through public-private partnership (PPP) models.

Long Thanh International Airport is expected to be completed by the end of this year and begin operations by mid-2026. At present, key access routes from HCM City include the HCM City-Long Thanh-Dau Giay Expressway.