Khanh Hoa Province authorities have set a 2018 operation deadline for a new runway under construction at Cam Ranh International Airport.

The project on Cam Ranh Airport’s second runway began in March 2015 and was expected to be completed within 36 months.

However, unfavourable weather conditions have deterred the construction from finishing on schedule.

Financed by the State, the project costs over VND1.9 trillion (US$83.6 million). The construction features a runway that is 3.048 metres long and 45 metres wide.

Cam Ranh Airport was built by the US troops to serve its military missions during wartime and was converted into a civil airport in 2004. It was upgraded to an international airport in 2009. Currently, the airport’s international terminal has a capacity of 1.5 million passengers annually.

In September last year, the construction of a new international terminal at Cam Ranh Airport began. The project, worth over VND3.7 trillion ($162.8 million), is set to be carried out in three stages.

The project aims to meet recent robust increases in foreign tourism through the airport as well as to prepare for the development of the facility by 2030.

The first stage is planned to be completed in 2018, enabling the terminal to greet 2.5 million passengers annually. The number of passengers is expected to hit 4 million in the second phase and 8 million at the end of the third phase in 2030. — VNS