The total investment in the Dien Bien Airport is estimated at about VND4.8 trillion (US$206 million), said the Airport Corporation of Viet Nam (ACV) on Tuesday.

In particular, the construction of the flight area is expected to be VND1.4 trillion ($60.1 million).

The essential items of the civil aviation area are estimated at VND1.7 trillion (nearly $73 million).

The works to ensure flight control are expected to be VND155 billion ($6.65 million).

The People’s Committee of the northern province of Dien Bien agreed to pay for site clearance totalling VND1.5 trillion ($64.3 million).

The ACV proposed two investment options for the airport.

Under the first option, ACV will use its capital to invest in flight areas as well as construction of civil aviation areas.

The Viet Nam Air Traffic Management (VATM) will invest in flight control facilities.

The site clearance is undertaken by the provincial People's Committee with its local budget.

Under this plan, the airport is expected to be completed within 36 months after the project is approved.

With the other option, ACV proposed investment in flight areas with central or local budget and ACV will be assigned to exploit.

Civil aviation area will be invested by ACV with private capital.

The Viet Nam Air Traffic Management (VATM) will still invest in flight control facilities. The People's Committee will still take responsibility for site clearance.

It is expected to take 40 months to complete the project.

The passenger terminal of the airport currently has a capacity of 300,000 passengers per year.

In accordance with the air transport development planning, Dien Bien Airport will have a capacity of about 300,000 passengers and 500 tonnes of cargo per year by 2020.

The capacity is expected to be increased to two million passengers and 10,000 tonnes of cargo per year by 2030. — VNS