Aviation authority seeks to add 9 airports to 2021-2030 planning

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has proposed the addition of nine airports to the planning for 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050.

In a document sent to the Ministry of Transport, CAAV listed the nine airports in the northern provinces of Ha Giang, Yen Bai, Tuyen Quang; central provinces of Ha Tinh, Quang Ngai, Khanh Hoa; Central Highlands provinces of Kon Tum and Dak Nong; and the southern province of Tay Ninh.

CAAV said it surveyed 10 localities last month and removed the proposed Moc Chau airport in the northern mountainous province of Son La as it would face unfavorable weather conditions. The province plans to use the airport for special purposes only, not for civil aviation.

In April, the Ministry of Transport noted six key requirements to add an airport to the planning: volumes of goods; socio-economic conditions like growth, employment, and tourism demand; defense-security; capability to respond to emergency situations; natural conditions; proximity to other airports.

In the latest draft planning, the ministry suggested 28 airports in 2021-2030 and 31 until 2050.

Vietnam currently runs 22 civil airports and is preparing to build six more until 2030, namely Long Thanh, Phan Thiet, Quang Tri, Sa Pa, Lai Chau, and Na San. The ministry estimated 28 airports would increase the country’s capacity to 283 million passengers a year and facilitate citizens to travel to airports within 100 kilometers.

Vietnam needs to mobilize VND128,115 billion ($5.15 billion) from the private sector toward airport infrastructure in 2021-2030, the ministry said in November.