Cat Bi International Airport in the northern port city of Hai Phong was put into service on May 12 after more than two years of upgrading under a plan approved by the Prime Minister in 2012.

Addressing the ceremony, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said the airport is expected to help not only Hai Phong but also the northern coastal region maximize their potential and strengths.

The airport, together with Hai Phong International Port, Tan Vu-Lach Huyen Bridge and Hanoi-Hai Phong and Quang Ninh-Hai Phong Expressways, will form a complete transport network, facilitating socio-economic development and ensuring national defence and security in the region, he said.

The Government leader urged the Ministry of Transport, Hai Phong city and other localities to speed up the construction of transport, tourism and service infrastructure networks in order to make the best use of the airport.

He also asked Airports Corporation of Vietnam and Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation to maintain and protect the airport’s infrastructure, and coordinate with customs and police forces to ensure safety for flights.

Cat Bi now becomes a 4E-level international airport under the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards, a first-level military airport and a standby for Hanoi-based Noi Bai International Airport.

It is capable of accommodating Boeing 777, Boeing 747 and similar models, according to the municipal People’s Committee.

Currently, the national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and low-cost airlines Vietjet Air and Jetstar Pacific Airlines are offering flights to and from Cat Bi International Airport, including five domestic routes to Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Pleiku and Buon Me Thuot.

More services will be launched linking the airport with destinations at home and abroad, including Phu Quoc island district (Kien Giang) as from May 12, Da Lat city (Lam Dong) from May 20, followed by routes to Nghe An province and Can Tho city as well as China, the Republic of Korea, Japan and Thailand.

At the ceremony, Cat Bi received the decision recognising it as an international airport.

In the first quarter of this year, the airport welcomed 363,600 passengers, up 48.7 percent and handled 1.610 tonnes of cargo, up 15 percent.

By 2020, the number of passengers is expected to reach 2.3 million while the amount of cargo will top 11,000 tonnes.-

Vietnam Airlines to use Boeing 787 Dreamliner in Cat Bi Airport

The new Boeing 787 Dreamliner of the national flag carrier, Vietnam Airlines, flew between HCM City and northern Hai Phong City to celebrate the inauguration of Cat Bi international Airport on May 12.

The flights were witnessed by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and by representatives of Hai Phong City and ministries.

General Director of Vietnam Airlines (VNA) Pham Ngoc Minh said the flights were a gift to celebrate Cat Bi Airport and Hai Phong.

Minh said using the Boeing 787 at Cat Bi Airport demonstrated VNA's commitment to work with domestic airports to develop domestic and international flight networks, improve service quality, and meet passenger demand.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner flights are a good use of Cat Bi Airport, which is designed for Vietnam Airlines's modern aircraft.

Vietnam Airlines has utilised air routes to and from Hai Phong since the 1990s. This has helped Hai Phong and Ha Noi to become important entrepots for travellers and goods in the country's northern region.

The airline will continue co-ordinating with relevant agencies to evaluate increasing passenger demand for more flights to and from Hai Phong, especially international routes. It also plans to use the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus 350-900 XWB to better meet increasing demand.

Vietnam Airlines and budget airline Jetstar Pacific operate about 100 flights per week on five routes to Cat Bi Airport, including between Hai Phong and HCM City, and Da Nang and Buon Me Thuot. The co-operation between the two airlines is part of the firms' strategic plan for developing the double brand, VNA-JPA, to serve passengers in the northern region.

There are three domestic airlines operating at the airport, including Vietnam Airlines, Jetstar Pacific and Vietjet Air.

According to Hai Phong's People's Committee, there are four return flights per week between Hai Phong and Phu Quoc. There are also three return flights between Hai Phong and Da Lat. New international routes from Hai Phong to China, South Korea, Japan and Thailand will open soon.

The new airport in photos:

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc and government leaders at the airport   The first flight at the airport An aircraft of VN Airlines at the airport   The security check area    Luggage belts    Customs check area  A cafe on the second floor.    A toilet for men   The airport at night