Two major investors, IPPG and Sun Group, have expressed their desire to upgrade Phu Quoc International Airport, committing to complete the project within 16–18 months after land clearance.

Recently, Imex Pan Pacific Group (IPPG) submitted a proposal to the government and relevant ministries, expressing its willingness to collaborate with the Ministry of Construction and other agencies to conduct feasibility studies and plan the airport’s expansion.

According to IPPG, expanding Phu Quoc Airport will play a crucial role in transforming the island into a leading tourism and trade hub in the region, fostering economic growth in Kien Giang province and Vietnam as a whole.

IPPG, led by Chairman Nguyen Hanh (Johnathan Hanh Nguyen), has experience in airport development, having invested in and managed the international terminal at Cam Ranh Airport (Khanh Hoa).

Similarly, Sun Group has also submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Construction, expressing its interest in participating in the airport upgrade under a public-private partnership (PPP) using a build-operate-transfer (BOT) contract model.

“If selected, Sun Group commits to equipping Phu Quoc Airport with the world’s most advanced technology and completing the project within 16–18 months after land clearance,” the corporation stated.

Government response and regulatory steps

In response to these proposals, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has tasked the Ministry of Construction with reviewing the requests from IPPG and Sun Group. The ministry will guide investors through the necessary legal procedures and report to the Prime Minister by mid-March.

Previously, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam had submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Construction, requesting approval for Phu Quoc Airport’s master plan for the 2021–2030 period, with a vision for 2050. This plan serves as the foundation for future upgrades and expansions.

Under the 2021–2030 plan, Phu Quoc Airport will be upgraded to a 4E-class airport and a Level 2 military airport, with a capacity to handle 10 million passengers and 25,000 tons of cargo annually.

Additionally, the plan includes the construction of a VIP terminal on the east side of the air traffic control tower to serve the 2027 APEC Leaders’ Week, which will be hosted in Phu Quoc.

Looking ahead to 2050, Phu Quoc International Airport is expected to accommodate 18 million passengers and 50,000 tons of cargo per year. The expanded airport will feature 45 aircraft parking positions, capable of handling large aircraft such as the Boeing 747, Boeing 787, Airbus A350, and similar models.

N. Huyen