On the morning of August 19, the Lam Dong Provincial People’s Committee, in coordination with Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) and Lien Khuong International Airport, officially welcomed the first flights following a nearly six-month suspension of operations for runway and taxiway repairs.

The event marked the full resumption of aviation operations in Lam Dong Province following the construction period. The reopening also coincided with activities commemorating the 81st anniversary of the August Revolution and Vietnam’s National Day on September 2.

The inaugural flight, Vietnam Airlines VN1380 from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Lat, landed at Lien Khuong Airport and was greeted with a ceremonial water salute. At the aircraft parking area, Lam Dong provincial leaders welcomed the first arriving passengers with flowers and commemorative gifts.

The reopening of Lien Khuong Airport is expected to strengthen Lam Dong’s connectivity with major economic and tourism hubs in Vietnam and abroad, helping expand markets, attract tourists and investors, and support the province’s socio-economic development.

According to ACV, Lien Khuong Airport was expected to handle 28 flight movements on August 19, including the inaugural Vietnam Airlines flight VN1380 from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Lat. During the initial phase of resumed operations, the airport is expected to handle 36-40 flights per day and serve around 6,800 passengers daily.

Passenger traffic through the airport is projected to reach approximately 816,000 during the final four months of 2026.

Following the reopening, Da Lat’s domestic air network will connect the city with Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, Vinh, Hai Phong and Can Tho. International services include the Da Lat-Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia route, operating four flights per week, while the Da Lat-Singapore route is expected to resume in December 2026 with three flights per week.

The runway and taxiway repair project at Lien Khuong Airport was funded by ACV with a total investment of more than VND1 trillion (about US$38 million). The project involved a complete overhaul of the runway, replacing its asphalt concrete structure with cement concrete, as well as repairs to taxiways, runway safety strips and technical infrastructure and equipment supporting flight operations.

Xuan Ngoc