The surface of the runway with marks from aircraft wheels at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi. — VNA/VNS Photo Viet Hung

In a report sent to the Government, the ministry said Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat – the biggest international airports in the country – were under huge pressure due to high transportation demand.

The runway and taxiway systems of these two airports have been exploited beyond their designed capacity, resulting in cracks, breakage and subsidence, it said.

The ministry said the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) has used its budget to repair the downgraded parts to ensure flight safety.

Early last year, the ministry proposed the Government invest in upgrading runways and taxiways at the two airports. Three options had been chalked out, including using provisions made for medium-term public investments in the 2016-2020 period; using ACV’s development fund; and using revenue collected from flight operations.

The ministry suggested that ten percent of the provision of medium-term public investment, which was equivalent to VND4.2 trillion (US$180 million), should be used to upgrade runways and taxiways at the two airports.

In 2020, ACV expects to serve 127 million passengers at 21 airports under its management.

Of these, international visitors are expected to reach more than 46 million and domestic visitors 81 million.

ACV said it will focus on investing in terminal T2 in Vinh and Cat Bi cities and Terminal T3 at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, as well as expanding the domestic terminal at the latter.

It will invest in expanding the apron at Da Nang, Cam Ranh, Cat Bi, Phu Bai and Noi Bai airports. — VNS

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