Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc yesterday had the final word in the prolonged debate on how to expand the overcrowded Tan Son Nhat airport, deciding to build another terminal south of the airport.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc yesterday had the final word in the prolonged debate on how to expand the overcrowded Tan Son Nhat airport, deciding to build another terminal south of the airport.— Photo baoxaydung.com.vn

Phúc said the decision was based on the expansion scenario proposed by the French consultant company ADPI during a Government meeting.

According to ADPI, a 200,000sq. m-wide passenger terminal capable of serving 20 million travellers will be constructed to the south of the HCM City’s sole airport to address overcrowding. It is projected to cost about VNĐ18 trillion (US$800 million).

The land lot north of the airport, including a controversial golf resort and 16ha of vacant land managed by the Ministry of Defence, will also be used for supporting facilities like a cargo terminal, aircraft repair station and logistics, but not until 2025.

Other consultants hired by HCM City authorities had proposed expanding the airport to the north.

The French company argued that a similar passenger terminal built to the north, instead of the south, would cost twice as much at about VNĐ36 trillion while the terminals – old and new – would not be connected.

“The selected proposal was discussed publicly in a transparent manner and HCM City has also agreed,” PM Phuc said.

He asked the Ministry of Transport to link ADPI with local consultants to finalise the expansion proposal. The ministry should also start looking for investment to begin the construction as soon as possible given that the airport has already surpassed its planned 2020 capacity by 44 per cent.

The extended Tan Son Nhat airport is expected to serve at least 50 million passengers a year. — VNS