High-ranking officials attend the ground breaking ceremony of the air traffic control tower at cat Bi International Airport on December 11.— Photo VNA/VNS

HAI PHONG (Biz Hub) — Construction of an air traffic control tower began at Cat Bi International Airport in northern Hai Phong city yesterday.

When completed in the fourth quarter of 2015, the tower aims to provide round-the-clock air control services for all arriving and departing flights.

The nearly VND80 billion (US$3.76 million) project comprises a 42.9m tower, a two-storey building and auxiliary facilities.

The airport, which serves 20 flights a day, has seen the number of passengers rise by 38.16 per cent annually over the past five years. According to the airport's development plan, by 2025 it will be capable of handling 7-8 million passengers and 100,000-250,000 tonnes of goods a year.

The project is part of a Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation plan to modernise its facilities, according to Hoang Thanh, chairman of the corporation's Members' Council. — VNS