A view of Sapa Town. This town will have an airport in the future. — Photo dantri.com.vn

People’s Committee in the northern province of Lao Cai has asked Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc for approval on the investment policy for Sapa Airport.

The airport is a public-private partnership (PPP) project with a total investment of about VND4.2 trillion (US$180 million). It has a total designed capacity of 1.5 million passengers per year.

Of the sum, local budget capital is about VND1.2 trillion for site clearance compensation, construction of path to the airport and aerodrome control tower. The total of private investors’ investment capital and commercial loans is estimated to reach VND3 trillion for construction of the runway and terminal at the airport.

This domestic airport is located in Cam Con Commune, Bao Yen District, Sapa Town, about 75km from the tourism hub of Sapa. The airport is also on the route connecting to the Noi Bai – Lao Cai highway.

The provincial authorities expect the airport project to have four years of construction according to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards and 46 years of operation providing aviation services.

Sa Pa Airport will have one runway and one terminal. It is expected to have one more terminal after 2030. — VNS