HANOI: Vietnam is looking to spend 400 trillion dong (US$17.65bil or RM73.15bil) on upgrades to its airports from now until 2030, according to a proposal that the Ministry of Transport has submitted to the government.

       The country’s top priorities included the Noi Bai International Airport in capital city Hanoi, the Tan Som Nhat International Airport in in the southern economic hub Ho Chi Minh City (HCM City) and the under-construction Long Thanh International Airport Dong Nai Province (located some 40km to the east of HCM City).

       In addition, 22 other airports across the country are to receive major upgrades while six new airports are to be built with an objective to bring Vietnam’s airport capacity to 278 million passengers a year, with 95% of the population within a 100km radius of an airport.

       The upgrades consist of advanced flight traffic management systems, maintenance hubs, logistics and pilot training centres.

       The 400 trillion dong (RM73.15bil) budget accounted for almost a quarter of the entire industry’s investment by 2030, which is made up of money from the state budget and other sources of funding.

       By the end of 2030, the country is to operate a network of 28 airports with Hanoi and HCM City as two main transport hubs.

       After 2030, the Hai Phong International Airport is to replace the old Cat Bi Airport.

       Meanwhile, surveys and studies on large islands such as Ly Son and Phu Quy are to be continued to assess whether the country should construct additional airports on said islands.

       In another report, the ministry said by 2050 the capital city Hanoi may require another airport to support the existing Noi Bai International Airport.

       The ministry highlighted the importance of a number of key projects including the constructions of the Long Thanh International Airport (25 million capacity a year once finished), T3 Terminal of the Tan Som Nhat International Airport (to bring the airport’s capacity to 20 million passengers a year once finished) and the expansion of T2 Terminal of the Noi Bai International Airport (15 million passengers a year).

       A number of key policies related to the management of the country’s airports are due to go under extensive reviews in an attempt to optimise their ability to generate income and maximise efficiency.

       Policymakers have said the country encourage the private sector to invest in airport infrastructure development and operation. — Vietnam News/ANN