A Business Venture to ‘Invest’ in Developing an Expansion Plan for Con Dao Airport.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has sent a document to the Ministry of Construction, providing feedback on a private conglomerate’s proposal to sponsor the planning of Con Dao Airport.

According to the CAAV, as Con Dao Airport is located on an island, the planning proposal should consider a sea reclamation solution for its construction. The consulting unit responsible for establishing the planning must comprehensively assess the environmental impact on the sea, taking into account the construction of protective dikes, aviation infrastructure, and the complexity of the entire project.

Currently, Vietnam lacks precedents for large-scale airport projects involving sea reclamation. Thus, the planning process necessitates the involvement of an international consulting firm with expertise and experience in airport planning on islands to ensure the quality and feasibility of the planning proposal.

The sponsor must closely coordinate with the Ministry of Construction, the CAAV, and relevant agencies during the planning process to ensure timely completion.

The CAAV states that the enterprise’s proposal to sponsor the planning of Con Dao Airport aligns with regulations. However, the acceptance of the sponsored product must comply with Government Decree No. 05/2021, especially regarding no binding conditions on future investment, operation, and development of the airport.

The aviation authority argues that given the limitations of the state budget, allocating funds for planning may not meet the timeline directed by the Prime Minister. They propose that the Ministry of Construction consider and approve the acceptance of the sponsored planning proposal for Con Dao Airport as suggested by the enterprise.

Previously, in a document sent to the Ministry of Construction, a private conglomerate noted that according to the master plan for Con Dao tourism development approved by the Prime Minister, by 2030, Con Dao is expected to welcome approximately 300,000 visitors annually, with 40% being international tourists. However, the current reality surpasses the plan, with a 60% increase in tourist arrivals compared to a decade ago.

Despite the continuous rise in tourist numbers, traveling to Con Dao remains challenging due to limited transportation infrastructure, which is also frequently affected by unfavorable weather conditions.

At present, Con Dao Airport can only accommodate small aircraft like the ATR-72 and its equivalents. The airport infrastructure is deteriorating, the runway is short, and night operations are not supported, limiting the number of flights and serving only short-haul routes.

Sun Group has proposed studying the upgrade and expansion of Con Dao Airport by extending the runway to a 4E-grade airport, increasing its capacity to 2 million passengers annually by 2030. This enhancement will enable Con Dao Airport to accommodate large, wide-body aircraft such as the A320, A321, A350, and B787, among others. It will facilitate international flights from Japan, South Korea, Europe, and the Americas, as well as the operation of military aircraft, thereby strengthening national defense and sovereignty over islands and seas.