Airport upgrade to fuel socio-economic development

Airports will be the driving force to promote tourism development or trade connections for localities. (Photo: Vietnam+)

The renovation, expansion and construction of airports will create impetus for local socio-economic development through tourism, investment and business activities.

An expressway, despite a large investment, only helps to connect directly with two neighboring provinces, while an airport can open up trade opportunities with all 63 provinces and cities nationwide. These airports can also connect local communities with the rest of the world.

The Ministry of Transport is finalizing a master plan on the development of the airport system for submission to the Government. This plan will focus on key investment, determine the planning of each airport, transit capacity, socio-economic development, as well as consider investment resources.

The airport development master plan for 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, is expected to fuel socio-economic development due to the upgraded aviation infrastructure.

Planning awaited

The Ministry of Transport has yet to complete the plan on the development of a national airport system for 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050. Therefore, a number of localities have sent documents to the ministry and the Government to apply for the addition of the provincial airports to the planning scheme.

In September alone, the northern provinces of Tuyen Quang and Son La and the Central Highland province of Kon Tum proposed adding Na Hang, Moc Chau and Mang Den airports to the national plan. Previously, Ninh Binh, Ha Tinh, Ninh Thuan, Dak Nong, Ha Giang, Bac Giang and Binh Phuoc, made similar proposals.

The reason why localities want to include their airports to the national scheme is because they expect that this will create an important driving force for promoting local socio-economic development, enhancing connections at home and abroad, and ensuring national security.

The expansion and development of airports will also help promote tourism and trade connectivity between localities. The thesis is that a highway, despite huge investment, only helps to connect directly with local regions. An airport, however, can open up trade opportunities with all 63 provinces and cities, even with the globe. Therefore, localities are much looking forward to including their airports to the national scheme.

Mr. Tran Quang Chau, Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Aviation Science and Technology, said a province can have three airports to be included in the plan. This is the case as long as they can prove it is able to promote local socio-economic development and serve the operation of special economic zones.

However, the construction of new airports needs to take into account many socio-economic and topographic factors, he added.

Synchronously planned airports will help promote urban growth, attract investment, stimulate infrastructure development, and increase real estate values in the region, he said.

Dr. Pham Bich San from the Institute of Research and Consultancy highly recommends that areas with excellent tourism potential like the misty town of Sa Pa and the mountainous province of Ha Giang in northern Vietnam should be placed at the top priority for the construction of airports.

Luring investment, fueling economy

According to Mr. Bui Doan Ne, Vice Chairman of Vietnam Aviation Business Association, Vietnam’s aviation market is considered as one of the fastest growing markets in the region. In order to meet the infrastructure requirements, Vietnam should invest, upgrade and expand the existing network of airports as well as accelerate the construction of new airports to reduce congestion and overcrowding.

“Strengthened aviation infrastructure will create a push for the tourism sector to develop and create employability for related service providers and contribute to ensuring social security.”

International tourists to Phu Quoc island (Photo: Vietnam+)

According to Mr. Ne, Phu Quoc airport, newly built in 2008 and put into operation in 2012, has seen a strong growth in passenger arrivals, far exceeding the approved planned capacity.

Tourism, investment and business in Phu Quoc has become convenient thanks to the expansion of the airport system. Typically, the frequency of operation from/to Phu Quoc in June 2022 reached 100 domestic flights per day, while before the pandemic in 2019 it operated only 72 international and domestic flights per day.

Dr. Dinh Trong Thinh, Senior Lecturer of the Academy of Finance, showed his support or the renovation and expansion of airports since it will create a driving force for socio-economic development through facilitating tourism, investment and business activities.

The increasing travelling demand will be a crucial factor for the country to consider pouring investment in upgrading airport infrastructure. However, it is necessary to ensure the efficiency of investment and harmonize the interests of local people.

He acknowledged the fact that some locations such as Phan Thiet (Binh Thuan) and Con Dao (Ba Ria-Vung Tau) have great tourism potential, but the poor transport infrastructure makes these destinations less competitive than others.

“For key tourist markets like Con Dao and Mui Ne, it is very important to speed up the construction of new airports”./.