HCMC – The northern upland province of Son La Province has proposed developing an airport project with a total estimated investment of some VND2 trillion (US$87.6 million).
The provincial chairman has sent the proposal to the Government and the Ministry of Transport for consideration and approval, the local media reported.
Of the total investment, some VND300 billion (US$13,150) coming from the provincial budget will be used for site clearance and resettlement, while the remaining VND1.7 trillion is expected to be backed by private sources.
A local official said some investors expressed their interest in the project and wanted to study its development under the build-operate-transfer format.
Under the country’s zoning plan for air transport development, Na San would be able to handle 1.5 million passengers by 2030. The airport can receive A320s, A321s and equivalents.
According to a representative of the ministry’s Planning and Investment Department, under an orientation scheme on mobilizing private capital, the Na San airport was classified in Group 3 along with other airports such as Dien Bien, Dong Hoi, Pleiku, Buon Ma Thuot, Rach Gia, Ca Mau and Con Dao. These are airports in remote, mountainous and island regions.
The Na San airport is located in Mai Son District of Son La Province. It is some 20 kilometers away from Son La City to the south. It was constructed in 1950 by the French. Until the 1960s, the airport resumed operations after being shut for a long time due to few passengers. In 1994, it reopened before closing down again as its infrastructure facilities were rundown.
