The Cat Bi Airport in the northern coastal city of Hai Phong, used for both civil and military purposes, was recognised as an international airport to serve international flights from May 11, the Civil Aviation Authority of Viet Nam announced on May 10.
Previously, the Cat Bi International Airport only served domestic flights. The decision to upgrade the airport was made in accordance with an approved plan on the country’s airport network to 2015 with an orientation extending to 2025.
The airport has grown impressively over recent years at an average growth rate of over 20% per year. To meet demands for passenger and cargo transportation, its infrastructure was upgraded with a new runway system, repaired taxiway system, expanded aircraft apron and newly installed lighting system for the terminal and air traffic control tower.
The upgraded facilities will be put into operation on May 12 to serve two million passengers per year transported by A321 aircrafts.
By the end of the first quarter of 2017, the second phase of the project on upgrading and expanding the airport will be completed and capable of serving B77 and A330/350 aircrafts.