Vietnamese Airport Temporarily Closes for One Year, Set to Increase Capacity Fivefold

On November 4th, the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) announced the temporary closure of Ca Mau Airport to undertake an expansion and upgrade project. The airport will be closed from 7:00 AM on October 30th, 2025, until 11:59 PM on October 31st, 2026.

Prior to this, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) issued a notice to the People’s Committee of Ca Mau Province, the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Public Security, and relevant aviation entities regarding the temporary closure, in accordance with the Ministry of Construction’s decision.

CAAV instructed ACV and Ca Mau Airport to comply with all legal regulations on investment and construction during the closure. They are to coordinate with contractors to ensure adherence to security, safety, fire prevention, environmental hygiene, and labor safety protocols, assuming full responsibility for these aspects throughout the construction process.

Additionally, the Air Traffic Management Corporation of Vietnam is tasked with issuing appropriate aeronautical information notices. The Southern Airports Authority will enhance inspections and supervision to ensure compliance with safety, fire prevention, environmental hygiene, and disease control measures during construction, with strict penalties for violations.

Ca Mau Airport to Increase Capacity Fivefold

ACV commenced the expansion and upgrade project on August 19th, 2025, with a total investment of approximately VND 2.4 trillion. The project aims to accommodate modern aircraft such as the A320 and A321, with completion and operational readiness expected by October 2026.

Originally built during the French colonial era, the airport currently features a 1,500-meter-long, 30-meter-wide runway, serving smaller aircraft like the ATR72 (max 90 passengers) and Embraer E190 (124 passengers). The existing terminal has a capacity of 200,000 passengers annually.

The airport currently operates a daily flight between Ca Mau and Ho Chi Minh City (292.6 km from Tan Son Nhat Airport) using ATR72 aircraft. A Hanoi-Ca Mau route, operated by Bamboo Airways since mid-2023, was briefly suspended.

Under the 2021-2030 master plan, Ca Mau Airport is classified as a 4C airport, with a capacity of 1 million passengers and 1,000 tons of cargo annually. It will handle Code C aircraft (A320, A321, or equivalent) with CAT I approach systems on runway 27 and basic navigation aids on runway 09.

By 2050, the airport is projected to serve 3 million passengers and handle 3,000 tons of cargo annually, maintaining its 4C classification and Level II military airport status.

The aircraft parking area for 2021-2030 will be located south of the runway, accommodating up to four aircraft. By 2050, it will expand northward, integrated with the new civil aviation area, to accommodate up to ten aircraft, with reserve land for future expansion.

The existing passenger terminal will be expanded by 2030 to serve 1 million passengers annually. A new terminal, north of the runway, will be constructed by 2050 to handle 3 million passengers annually, with additional land reserved for future development.

For cargo operations, a 1,000-ton capacity warehouse will be built west of the terminal by 2030. By 2050, a new 3,000-ton capacity warehouse will be located east of the new terminal.

The project requires approximately 184.22 hectares of land for the 2021-2030 phase, expanding to 244.43 hectares by 2050.

Upon completion, the project will enhance the airport’s operational efficiency, meet new technical standards, and better support the region’s socio-economic development and national defense.