Vinh International Airport in the central province of Nghe An is set to receive a VND3 trillion (US$13.2 million) upgrade, the Airports Corporation of Viet Nam (ACV) and People’s Committee of Nghe An announced on Wednesday.

The project will include a second terminal covering 16,500sq.m and designed to serve five million passengers per year with total investment capital of VND1.68 trillion.

An apron in front of the terminal with the capacity for nine planes will also be built at an estimated cost of VND1 trillion, while the conveyor, elevator and existing apron will all be upgraded.

Work is expected to start by the end of the second quarter of 2019 and be completed by the fourth quarter of 2020.

Chairman of Nghe An People’s Committee Thai Thanh Quy said that Vinh International Airport had seven routes, including two international flights.

He said the airport received about 34 flights a day. In the first nine months of 2018, it welcomed around 1.44 million passengers.

“The airport is overloaded, so it’s difficult to meet the demand for international routes, especially during the peak periods. The provincial authorities have requested the relevant sectors and departments to complete site clearance before October 30 this year.

“We have also asked the ACV to speed up procedures and approve a detailed construction plan by December this year,” Quy said.

Vinh Airport plays an important role in the development of the North Central region, of which Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces have high demand for travel, tourism and investment attraction. — VNS