VietNamNet Bridge – A number of small airports may not get off the ground before 2020 as the Ministry of Transport is prioritizing development of highly-feasible airport projects.

The Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV) has proposed the ministry should put Thanh Hoa Province’s Tho Xuan Airport on the plan for the period from now to 2020 because the demand for travel from the north-central region to HCMC is surging. Meanwhile, the Lao Cai Airport project should be carried out after 2020, said CAAV.

The aviation authority said airports should be classified into two groups, with group one comprising international airports with an important role in economic development and group two consisting of domestic and specialized airports.

Deputy Minister of Transport Pham Quy Tieu told the Daily that construction of several small airports like Lao Cai, Lai Chau and Quang Ninh should not be built prior to 2020 because the demand for these air routes was not so great.

The transport ministry will focus on key airports such as Noi Bai, Danang and planned Long Thanh.

Since funding for airport infrastructure is limited, the public-private partnership (PPP) format will be chosen for construction of airports.

As per the initial planning, Vietnam will have 26 airports in operation by 2020, including 10 international airports – Noi Bai, Cat Bi, Phu Bai, Danang, Chu Lai, Cam Ranh, Tan Son Nhat, Long Thanh, Can Tho and Phu Quoc.

The rest are domestic airports, including Dien Bien Phu, Na San, Lao Cai, Quang Ninh, Gia Lam, Vinh, Dong Hoi, Phu Cat, Tuy Hoa, Pleiku, Buon Ma Thuot, Lien Khuong, Rach Gia, Ca Mau, Con Son and Vung Tau.

Source: SGT