VND 1.68 trillion upgrade for Con Dao Airport
The Ministry of Transport has recently submitted a proposal to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha regarding the investment plan for Con Dao Airport.
According to the report by the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, the optimal plan for the airport’s runway is to maintain the current orientation of the takeoff and landing direction. This is due to the limited geography of the area and the complex conditions for expanding towards the sea, as well as the high investment cost and environmental impact.
Con Dao Airport as it currently stands. Photo: Communist Party of Vietnam Online Newspaper
The Ministry of Transport proposes using aid funds from the Australian Government to engage a reputable international consulting firm to review and assess the capacity of the existing runway and recommend the optimal aircraft types for operation at Con Dao Airport. The selected consulting firm is ADPi from France.
The project to upgrade and renovate the runway and taxiways at Con Dao Airport has been approved by the Ministry of Transport, with a total investment of approximately VND 1.68 trillion. The project has also been included in the medium-term public investment plan for the 2021-2025 period, with funding from the state budget.
The project will involve expanding and upgrading the existing runway to a size of 1,830 meters by 45 meters, constructing a new parallel taxiway and connecting taxiways, and adding safety features such as RESA and night lighting. The project will also include the installation of a synchronized landing system to facilitate the efficient operation of Code C aircraft (such as A319, A320neo/ceo, B737-7/8, and equivalents) in line with the Prime Minister’s directives and the master plan.
Illustrative image of Con Dao Airport after the upgrade using AI ChatGPT
Currently, several airlines are considering operating larger aircraft to Con Dao Airport, beyond the current Code C aircraft (ATR72, A320neo/ceo, A321neo/ceo). To accommodate these larger aircraft, there is a need to expand the runway and increase the load-bearing capacity of the runway surface.
Airport on Vietnam’s Island Famous Worldwide
Con Dao Airport was built during the French colonial period, and in 2003, the Southern Airport Authority invested in upgrading the runway, apron, and terminal to accommodate ATR72, F70, and equivalent aircraft.
On May 9, 2004, Con Dao Airport officially commenced commercial operations with the Ho Chi Minh City-Con Dao route operated by VASCO.
Con Dao Airport is a civil airport that also serves military aviation purposes. The civil and military areas are both located south of the runway. The airport is permitted to receive regular and non-regular flights, private aircraft, and operates 12 hours a day.
Dam Trau Beach lies adjacent to the airport’s runway. Photo: trangnguyen_3112
Con Dao Island has a long history and was once known as a “living hell” during the French and American wars, where Vietnamese revolutionaries were imprisoned and tortured. Today, it has become a popular tourist destination for those seeking to explore its pristine beauty and learn about Vietnam’s history.
Con Dao has been featured multiple times in Travel Leisure magazine and has been included in various lists compiled by the publication. In 2011, Travel Leisure praised Con Dao as “one of the world’s best-kept-secret islands.”
In 2017, Lonely Planet ranked Con Dao among the “Top 10 most attractive destinations in Asia,” describing it as a “paradise with dense forests, emerald waters, and a host of spectacular wildlife.”
In 2019, Travel Leisure listed Con Dao among the “World’s Clearest Waters,” making it one of the few Asian representatives in this selection.
