The Vietnam Airlines Corporation plans to build a logistics centre in the southern city of Can Tho this year, said Deputy General Director Trinh Hong Quang at a meeting with local leaders on Friday.

The 30ha centre will be built next to Can Tho International Airport to meet the increasing demand of goods transportation by international and domestic airlines, with a capacity of transporting at least 600,000 tonnes of goods per year.

Along with the construction of Can Tho logistics centre, Quang said the corporation will open new routes from the city to other destinations in Viet Nam and abroad.

He said the corporation opened three logistics centres at Noi Bai, Tan Son Nhat and Da Nang international airports, however expanding these centres was difficult due to a lack of land.

According to General Director of Tan Son Nhat Cargo Service Joint Stock Company Nguyen Cao Cuong, cargo throughput at Can Tho International Airport is currently 4,200 tonnes per year. Meanwhile, the output of agricultural and fishery products and other products of Can Tho through Tan Son Nhat International Airport is 150 tonnes per day.

Speaking at the meeting, Vice Chairman of municipal People’s Committee Dao Anh Dung said the city was ready to create good conditions for Vietnam Airlines to build a logistics hub.

He expected the corporation to work with Can Tho City to complete the procedures soon to receive an investment licence in August, when the city will host an investment promotion conference. — VNS