Con Dao Airport upgrade going ahead to handle two million passengers yearly

Con Dao Airport will be expanded to handle larger planes and more passengers

At present, Con Dao Airport can welcome 400,000 passengers a year. Under the approved plan, the airport is forecast to have a capacity of 500,000 passengers a year by 2025. However, the Ministry of Transport has approved plans to raise this to two million passengers and 4,400 tonnes of cargo a year by 2025.

Located in Con Dao district, Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, Con Dao Airport is a domestic airport with shared civil and military use. It will be upgraded from grade 3C to 4C civil airport in line with International Civil Aviation Organization standards as well as a Grade II military airport.

The airport will extend the width of the 1,830m-long runaway from 30 to 45 meters to handle bigger aircraft such as A320/A321 or equivalents. At present, the airport can only handle ATR72 turboprop aircraft with a capacity of 72-78 passengers.

In addition, Con Dao Airport will double aircraft parking from eight spots. One parallel taxiway and three other taxiways will be constructed to connect with the runway for improved capacity.

Other parts of the renovation include. a new apron for eight aircraft, a new air traffic control tower on the east side of the passenger terminal, a synchronous airport beacon system, and a landing gear system to operate flights at night.

Con Dao Airport was built by the French in the early 20th century and was modified for commercial usage in 2003. It is now closed at night due to the lack of a runway lighting system.