$760 mln proposed for Buon Ma Thuot Airport expansion

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Construction for the approval of the Buon Ma Thuot Airport master plan for the 2021–2030 period, with a vision toward 2050.

The project aims to upgrade the airport in Dak Lak Province, central Vietnam, into a key transportation hub. It will serve as a dual-use facility for both civil and military operations, meeting the requirements for regional socio-economic development.

According to the proposal, Buon Ma Thuot Airport, located in Tan Lap Ward, is currently a domestic airport shared by civil aviation and military forces.

During the 2021-2030 period, the airport is planned to reach Category 4C standards according to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). It will be designed to handle 3 to 5 million passengers and 10,000 tons of cargo annually. This scale will allow the airport to accommodate aircraft such as the Airbus A320, A321, and other equivalent models.

Key infrastructure investments during this phase include upgrading the existing runway, expanding the current aircraft apron, maintaining and renovating Terminal T1 to reach a capacity of 2 million passengers per year.

The investments also cover the construction of a new Terminal T2 with a capacity of 3 million passengers per year, with investment stages aligned with actual growth demands, and development of a cargo terminal area integrated with an apron east of the passenger terminals, covering 13,100 square meters with an annual capacity of 10,000 tons.

Looking ahead to 2050, the airport is envisioned to expand to 27 aircraft parking positions, with an annual capacity of 7 million passengers and 15,000 tons of cargo.

The plan includes the addition of a second runway, measuring 2,400m in length and 45m in width, located approximately 275m north of the centerline of the first runway. A system of four connecting taxiways will also be developed in synchronization with the second runway as demand arises.

In this stage, Terminal T2 will be further upgraded to handle 5 million passengers per year, while the cargo terminal will be expanded to meet the 15,000-ton annual target.

The total land area required for the master plan through 2050 is over 518 hectares. The total estimated investment for the project is approximately VND 19,973 billion (nearly $760 million).