Weak infrastructure – biggest aviation problem

Hanoi (VNA) – The biggest problem facing the Vietnamese aviation sector is the infrastructure of airports, especially Tan Son Nhat International Airport, heard a conference in Hanoi on May 17.

Lai Xuan Thanh, head of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) said airports nationwide are capable of accommodating a total of 75 million passengers annually.

In the first four months of this year, 63 million were accommodated, adding more pressure on the country’s aviation infrastructure, he said.

During the reviewed period, the sector grew by nearly 25 percent, ranking fifth in Southeast Asia, Thanh noted, adding that the speedy development, has challenged domestic airlines and aviation businesses.

The CAAV has submitted plans to upgrade aviation infrastructure, ensure safety for flights and create the best possible conditions for airlines.

The Ministry of Transport plans to expand Tan Son Nhat International Airport and raise its capacity to receive 40 million passengers each year, Thanh said, expressing his worry that the number is still moderate compared with the growth rate.

His views were shared by Vu Pham Nguyen An, Deputy Director of the Airport Operation Department under the under the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), who said most airports, excluding Noi Bai, Tan Son Nhat and Da Nang International Airports, are making losses.

The ACV faces financial difficulties as it has been in charge of all operation costs of the failed airports, he said, suggesting air carriers use auxiliary ports in a bid to ease overloads in Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

Duong Chi Thanh, Deputy General Director of Vietnam Airlines, proposed the CAAV give airlines their own locations in airports to ensure equality and healthy competition.

Luong The Phuc, Deputy General Director of VietJet Air, suggested the CAAV create conditions for air carriers to upgrade aviation infrastructure and coordinate with each other in programmes to improve flight management.-VNA