Central Vietnam province plans additional $122 mln runway for Phu Cat airport

A second runway along with connecting taxiways and other necessary infrastructure is urgently needed for Binh Dinh province’s Phu Cat airport, Chairman Pham Anh Tuan said on Friday.

Total investment for the additional runway and related infrastructure is estimated at VND3,013 billion (over $122.4 million), he said at a meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha.

The meeting between Binh Dinh province's authorities and the central government discussed the proposed airport expansion.

Chairman Tuan proposed utilizing local budget funds to clear land and relocate infrastructure – expected to cost VND1,008 billion ($49.95 million), while preparing investment procedures for the new runway.

Deputy PM Ha asked the Ministry of Transport to coordinate with the Ministries of Planning and Investment, Finance, National Defense, and Natural Resources and Environment to submit a recommendation to the Prime Minister, designating Binh Dinh province as the authority to oversee construction of the second runway.

It was noted at the meeting that after 60 years of operation, the only runway at Phu Cat Airport had deteriorated and had a low load capacity, limiting its ability to accommodate A320 and A321 aircraft.

The airport's parking lot can currently accommodate seven aircraft, and its passenger terminal, along with other technical infrastructure, are designed to serve approximately 2 million passengers per year.

The Phu Cat Airport development plan for 2021-2030 with vision extending to 2050 includes the addition of a second runway, primarily for civil aviation purposes, the construction of more aircraft parking spaces, expansion of the passenger terminal, and a reorganization of civil and military aviation areas.