An Unprecedented Proposal 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 expansion. The consulting unit responsible for developing the plan must comprehensively assess the environmental impact on the marine ecosystem due to the construction of protective dikes, aviation infrastructure, and the overall complexity of the project.

Currently, Vietnam lacks precedents for large-scale airport projects involving sea reclamation. Therefore, the planning process necessitates the involvement of international consulting firms with expertise and experience in planning island airports 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 acknowledges 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, particularly regarding the absence of any constraints on future investment, operation, or development of the airport.

The aviation authority highlights that given the limitations of the state budget, allocating funds for planning may not meet the timeline directed by the Prime Minister. They recommend 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 visitor numbers 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.

Presently, Con Dao Airport can only accommodate small aircraft like the ATR-72 and its equivalents. The airport’s infrastructure is deteriorating, the runway is short, and it lacks night flight capabilities, 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 accommodate Code 4E aircraft, increasing its capacity to 2 million passengers annually by 2030. This enhancement will enable Con Dao Airport to receive large, wide-body aircraft like the A320, A321, A350, and B787, accommodating international flights from Japan, South Korea, Europe, and the Americas. It will also be capable of receiving military aircraft, contributing to national defense and sovereignty over islands and seas.