HCMC – The northern upland province of Son La has asked the Ministry of Transport for approval to develop an airport with an expected capacity of one million passengers per annum by 2030.
In phase 2, the Moc Chau airport is expected to handle two million passengers a year after 2030, the local media reported.
The proposed project came after a prior request from Son La for the construction of the Na San airport, which is to be developed on the premises of an old airport of the same name.
The Moc Chau airport project will cover 350 hectares by 2030, with an option to expand to 500 hectares by 2050.
The overall investment in the airport will be roughly VND6,500 billion under the public-private partnership format. The project’s location has yet to be chosen.
The proposed airport would serve flights to Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia, in addition to domestic air routes to HCMC, Danang, Cam Ranh, Buon Ma Thuot, Pleiku and Phu Quoc.
The Moc Chau airport investment plan is important to both national security and economic growth, according to a statement of the local government.
In mid-August, Son La sought the Government’s approval for the construction of the Na San airport to replace the previous French-built airport in Mai Son District, with an expanded area of around 249 hectares.
The airport will serve domestic air routes, according to the national aviation development plan by 2030.
The Na San airport’s investment is divided into two phases, each with the same handling capability as Moc Chau.
The total cost is estimated to be roughly VND3,028 billion, with the first phase requiring VND2,560 billion in the form of public-private partnership.
In 2019, Son La welcomed about 2.5 million arrivals, or annual growth of 23%. The number of international tourists increased at a pace of 31%, while it was 22% for domestic visitors.
