Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai has asked the Ministry of Transport to submit a proposal by the end of this year for construction of a new international airport in the northern city of Hai Phong’s Tien Lang District.

 

He issued the order during a working trip to the city to inspect progress on a project to improve the city’s port system.

 

The order deviates from earlier plans to upgrade Cat Bi Airport in Hai Phong. However, the Viet Nam Civil Aviation Authority has determined that Cat Bi located too close to the city centre to allow for future urban development.

 

Therefore, the Government shifted planning towards building a new international airport while continue with plans to upgrade Cat Bi Airport.

 

To date, the Ministry of Transport has completed an initial feasibility assessment on the proposed Tien Lang International Airport, which would be located outside of the sea dyke of Tien Lang District, a site with large land area, low population density, and advantages in terms of terrain, climate conditions and convenient transport connections.

 

The airport, which would be designed to receive 60-80 million passengers per year, would also be able to accommodate overflow from Noi Bai International Airport in Ha Noi which could become overload in the future.

 

The proposed site would be an area of 9km by 6-7km, totalling 5,900ha. It would be about 20km from the city center and encompass parts of the communes of Vinh Quang, Tien Lang, Dong Hung and Tay Hung.

 

During his visit to Hai Phong, Hai also called at the Hai Phong Port Co. In a meeting with the company management, Hai also said that the demand for shipping was expected to increase sharply in the context of the economic recovery, making it necessary to quickly upgrade infrastructure.

 

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News