Ifapproved, the upgraded airport project will be implemented in the form of apublic-private partnership with total investment capital of 2 trillion VND (86.2million USD).
TheNa San Airport was built in 1950. It lies 187 kilometres from Hanoi’s Noi BaiInternational Airport and 110km from Dien Bien Phu Airport in northwestern DienBien province.
Theairport was shut down after a short operation time due to few passengers. In1994, it reopened before closing down again in 2004 due to the deterioration ofthe runway, failing to meet safety standards.
Basedon the Ministry of Transport’s plan, the CAAV coordinated with the AirportsCorporation of Vietnam (ACV) and relevant units to map out a plan torebuild the airport with a total investment of more than 1.98 trillion VND (85.3million USD). However, the project has not been implemented due to a shortageof funding.
In2019, the ACV continued proposing to build the Na San Airport as planned,including a full flight zone, terminal, aircraft yard, and airport area with atotal capital of 2.2 trillion VND (94.8 million USD) but failed due to acapital shortage.
InMarch this year, the Son La People’s Committee proposed the Ministry ofTransport add the upgraded Na San Airport project to the list of priorityprojects in 2021-2030. The province also asked the Prime Minister forpermission to implement the project.
Underthe Transport Ministry’s plan for the national airport system, pending thePrime Minister’s approval, the Na San airport is projected to operate A320/A321aircraft or the equivalent by 2030, serving 1 million passengers peryear. By 2050, the airport’s capacity is expected to reach a capacity of 2million passengers per year.
Theproject, oriented to mobilise social capital for investment in airportinfrastructure, will classify the Na San Airport in Group 3 along withother airports such as Dien Bien, Dong Hoi, Pleiku, Buon Ma Thuot, Rach Gia, Ca Mauand Con Dao.
TheMinistry of Transport will transfer the airfield and the ACV transfer theother essential infrastructure works to the province to mobilise resources fordevelopment./.
VNA