Proposal to build a second runway at Long Thanh airport

On November 2, the working group of the National Assembly Economic Committee conducted a field survey and worked with relevant units on the Long Thanh Airport Project; surveyed the high-speed railway on the North-South axis through Dong Nai province.

Raw materials for the construction of Long Thanh airport. Photo: Cong Phong/VNA

At the meeting, the opinions of the members of the Working Group were unanimous and agreed with the proposal to build a second runway at the Long Thanh Airport Project; and to adjust the project implementation time. The Working Group requested the Vietnam Airports Corporation (ACV) to clarify a number of issues related to investment phases, connecting traffic systems, issues related to capital sources, infrastructure, and capacity when building additional runways.

Working scene.

Mr. Bui Xuan Thong, Deputy Head of the National Assembly Delegation of Dong Nai province, said that the planning of Long Thanh airport already has runways, and at this time there are many favorable factors in terms of price, equipment, and personnel, so the construction of a second runway is reasonable.

Regarding the railway connection to Long Thanh airport, at the meeting, the consulting unit proposed the route and location of the railway station; in the immediate future, two railway lines will be invested in to Long Thanh airport: the North-South high-speed railway and the Long Thanh-Thu Thiem light railway. The railway stations through the airport will be underground stations to harmonize with the landscape, not affect other items, and create more highlights for the airport; after 2030, urban railways will be invested to connect localities of Dong Nai province with Long Thanh airport.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Son, Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly Economic Committee, spoke at the meeting.

According to Vietnam Airports Corporation, the unit has recently reported and requested to build a second runway at Long Thanh airport with a budget of about 3,400 billion VND. The construction of the additional runway will not affect the total investment of the Long Thanh Airport Component 3 Project. If approved, the second runway will start construction at the end of 2025 and be completed in the third quarter of 2026.

Vietnam Airports Corporation believes that investing in a second runway at this time will help take advantage of the existing infrastructure and machinery at Long Thanh airport. If after 2026, when Long Thanh airport is in operation, the construction of a second runway will cause many consequences, because the land at Long Thanh airport is characterized by red soil and fine clay dust, so the construction of the runway will emit fine dust, affecting the operation of the airport, causing environmental pollution, and possibly endangering aircraft operations. In addition, the second runway also helps ensure flight safety, as a backup when runway 1 has an incident. Currently, Vietnam Airports Corporation has arranged enough financial, human and infrastructure resources to deploy the second runway. The unit is committed to ensuring the progress of the project.

According to Vietnam Airports Corporation, Long Thanh Airport is the largest investment project in the country's transport infrastructure. During the project implementation, due to objective and subjective reasons, problems arose that required a lot of time to resolve. Vietnam Airports Corporation has reported to the Central Government, requesting to adjust the project implementation time to 2026.

In addition, Vietnam Airports Corporation hopes that the relevant authorities will soon expand the Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay expressway to meet the demand for passenger transportation from Ho Chi Minh City to Long Thanh airport.

Mr. Nguyen Tien Viet, Deputy General Director of Vietnam Airports Corporation, said that Long Thanh airport is simultaneously implementing many large bidding packages, with units mobilizing nearly 9,000 workers and construction machinery day and night, ensuring the progress of the bidding packages. In particular, the bidding package for the construction of the passenger terminal has reached 30% of the contract value (more than 10,000 billion VND). The contractor has completed the reinforced concrete construction for columns, beams, and floors of four floors and is installing the steel roof structure. It is expected that by December 2025, the passenger terminal will have completed basic construction, and by August 31, 2026, the entire bidding package will be completed and put into use.

The joint venture contractor for the runway and apron package is accelerating excavation, leveling, and cementing. The runway has completed the base layer, foundation, and basically completed the first layer of concrete. The package is expected to be technically operational before April 30, 2025. The two connecting traffic routes have currently reached more than 55% of the contract value, and both routes will be completed by the end of 2025. The aircraft apron item; the aircraft fuel supply system has started construction in September and October 2024, and the units are preparing all resources to implement the package on schedule, completing in mid-2026. For other items such as: Intra-port traffic, technical infrastructure, contractors have been selected and are about to start construction.

Construction of Long Thanh airport passenger terminal.

Concluding the meeting, Mr. Nguyen Minh Son, Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly's Economic Committee, affirmed that many items at Long Thanh airport are being constructed quickly, but there are still some slow-moving component projects, especially component project 4. Relevant units need to propose specific solutions to synchronously implement component projects, ensuring the overall progress of the entire project.

According to Mr. Nguyen Minh Son, all 10 opinions of the working group members agreed to build a second runway at Long Thanh airport. The proposals and recommendations on Long Thanh airport will be considered and decided by the National Assembly at the upcoming 8th session.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Son requested Vietnam Airports Corporation to pay attention and ensure that all items at Long Thanh airport use advanced and modern technology; cooperate in training human resources to serve the airport. Relevant units should consider and complete the transportation system connecting Long Thanh airport by both road and rail.

Source: https://baotainguyenmoitruong.vn/de-xuat-xay-dung-them-duong-cat-ha-canh-thu-2-san-bay-long-thanh-382613.html