Dien Bien Airport - Creating momentum for take-off

Dien Bien TV - On December 2, 2023, Dien Bien Airport officially resumed operations after a period of temporary suspension for upgrading and expansion. The operation of modern A320 and A321 aircraft of Vietnam Airlines on the Hanoi - Dien Bien route and VietjetAir's Ho Chi Minh City - Dien Bien route at Dien Bien airport is considered an important milestone in the Vietnamese aviation industry, as well as opening up opportunities and creating new development momentum for the economy and society of Dien Bien province as well as the Northwest region.

Dien Bien Airport, formerly Muong Thanh Airport, was built in 1939. The airport is part of a system of 21 airports assigned to ACV for management and operation. Previously, due to limited technical conditions and special terrain, Dien Bien Airport could only receive small aircraft such as ATR72 and equivalent, and often could not receive flights due to weather conditions. After being approved by the Prime Minister for investment in upgrading and expansion, Dien Bien Airport has an important significance, contributing to changing air transport activities in Dien Bien.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and delegates performed the ribbon-cutting ceremony to inaugurate the Dien Bien Airport Expansion Investment Project.

“This is a very important event marking a new step in the development process of Dien Bien province. It is an opportunity for Dien Bien province to promote investment promotion activities, socio-economic development, especially tourism economy and the potential of the province.” - Comrade Le Thanh Do, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the People's Committee of Dien Bien province.

After completion and put into use, Dien Bien Airport can synchronously operate A320, A321 and equivalent aircraft. The expanded passenger terminal increases the design capacity from 300,000 to 500,000 passengers/year, improving operational capacity, creating conditions for effective connection of Dien Bien with other economic regions across the country by modern jet aircraft and is also a premise for restoring international flights in the future.

Mr. Hannes Romauch, an Australian tourist, shared: “This is really a magnificent new airport. Passengers arriving here have experienced beautiful weather. I had a great flight and felt very excited to be here. With this new airport, there will be many flights from Vietnam Airlines and other airlines to Dien Bien Phu, I can visit Dien Bien Phu more easily, your city is really beautiful.”

After upgrading and expanding Dien Bien Airport, it can synchronously operate A320, A321 and equivalent aircraft.

In particular, with its important position in national security, Dien Bien Airport is one of the main airports of the Air Defense - Air Force in the Northwest battlefield area, the only place with an airport in the 6 Northwest border provinces of our country. This special strategic location is a bridge to maintain a vital, key position; a very important link in the defense and protection of the Northwest region in particular and the country in general.

According to Mr. Le Anh Tuan, Deputy Minister of Transport: "Putting Dien Bien Airport into operation helps airlines to travel from different places, especially from Hanoi to Dien Bien, from Ho Chi Minh City to Dien Bien and later from other economic centers to Dien Bien, helping Dien Bien to increasingly develop its economy and tourism; creating favorable conditions for tourists to come to Dien Bien."

Dien Bien Airport is operating 2 routes: Hanoi - Dien Bien and Ho Chi Minh City - Dien Bien of Vietnam Airlines and VietjetAir.

With the advantage of fast flight time, Dien Bien Airport will be an effective bridge to bring tourists and investors to explore the Northwest region conveniently, shortening geographical distances as well as making the transportation and circulation of goods easier.

“With the current infrastructure and technical equipment at Dien Bien Airport, the quality of passenger service through the airport will be increasingly improved,” said Mr. Tran Van Hong, Deputy Director of Dien Bien Airport.

Through many seasons of Bauhinia flowers, carrying the wishes of many generations of leaders, the desire of the ethnic people of Dien Bien province to have a modern airport has now become a reality. Dien Bien airport is back in operation, adding more momentum, opening up opportunities to promote socio-economic development, ensuring national defense and security of Dien Bien province in the new period./.

Minh Thu - Duc Trung/DIENBIENTV.VN

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