Ho Chi Minh’s Tan Son Nhat Airport is the nation’s busiest and is currently operating at well beyond the capacity it was designed for. Over 32 million passengers passed through the airport last year, 7 million more than the maximum capacity.
Ministerial spokesperson Mai Tien Dung said the study needed to be carried out and its findings submitted to the cabinet within six months. The Vietnam Civil Aviation Authority says there needs to be a gap of 1,750 metres from the nearest of the current runways for safety reasons.
Due to this requirement, the cabinet has ordered contractors to stop work on building a golf course and residential buildings in the zone where the new runway will probably be built. A new runway is a stopgap measure until Long Thanh International Airport welcomes its first passengers in 2025.
12GO ASIA says Tan Son Nhat Airport will serve domestic flights and airlines only once Long Thanh comes online. 12GO ASIA offers reservations services for flights to Ho Chi Minh City from locations throughout Vietnam and Southeast Asia.
Vietnam to conduct feasibility study on third runway at Ho Chi Minh
News in Asia
The prime-minister of Vietnam has authorised a preliminary study to assess the viability of building a third runway at Ho Chi Minh City Airport. Nguyen Xuan Phuc has given the go ahead for the Transport Ministry to bring in international consultants to weigh up the pros and cons of adding the extra runway.