Upgrading Can Tho Airport: Ministry of Construction’s Vision for Enhancement

According to the Ministry of Construction, Can Tho International Airport currently features a 3,000-meter runway, 10 aircraft parking positions, and a passenger terminal with a capacity of approximately 3 million passengers annually.

Over the years, the airport has consistently handled between 1 and 1.4 million passengers per year. In 2024 alone, it served over 1 million passengers, with approximately 800,000 passengers in the first nine months of this year. Despite not operating at full design capacity, the airport plays a crucial role in regional air connectivity.

Under the national airport system master plan for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050, Can Tho Airport is slated for an upgrade to 4E status, aiming to accommodate 7 million passengers annually by 2030 and 12 million by 2050.

The Ministry of Construction has tasked the Vietnam Aviation Administration with developing a detailed plan and has requested the Can Tho City People’s Committee to collaborate closely, ensuring alignment with the city’s and region’s socio-economic development goals.

From 2026 to 2030, the Ministry of Construction plans to allocate over VND 2.66 trillion to renovate the existing runway, construct a parallel taxiway, and develop a synchronized taxiway system to enhance the airport’s operational capacity. Other essential infrastructure projects will be funded by airport enterprises, as outlined in the draft Civil Aviation Law currently under review by the National Assembly.

In mid-October, the Can Tho City People’s Committee proactively proposed that the Ministry of Construction approve the investment policy for Can Tho Airport, viewing it as a strategic move to position the city as a national growth hub and a key commercial, service, and logistics center for the Mekong Delta by 2030.

Despite being upgraded and operational since 2011, and ranking among the three largest international airports in Southern Vietnam, Can Tho International Airport’s operations have yet to fully realize its potential.

Currently, only Vietjet and Vietnam Airlines operate domestic routes to Hanoi, Da Nang, Hai Phong, Vinh, Da Lat, Phu Quoc, and Con Dao. Previously active international routes, such as Can Tho to Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Taipei (Taiwan, China), have been suspended.

In 2024, the airport operates just two international routes to South Korea and Taiwan, resulting in a 25% decline in passenger volume compared to the previous year. In the first half of this year, despite handling over 557,000 passengers and 3,800 tons of cargo, no international flights were operated.