Clarifying the orientation of building an aviation industrial complex at Quang Tri airport

The orientation to form additional aircraft repair and maintenance centers at Quang Tri Airport needs to be carefully studied in the context of the country planning aviation industrial clusters in the North, Central and South.

Perspective view of Quang Tri Airport.

This is one of the notable pieces of information in document No. 14569/BXD-KHTC recently sent by the Ministry of Construction to the People's Committee of Quang Tri province, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, and the Transport Design and Consulting Corporation (TEDI) regarding the adjustment of the overall plan for the development of the national airport and airfield system for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050.

According to the Ministry of Construction, based on the content of the revised planning documents, the relevant units have determined that Vietnam currently lacks a regional or international-level aviation industry center in the Central region. Meanwhile, Quang Tri has significant potential to develop an aviation industry complex, a logistics and cargo transshipment center for the North Central and Central coastal regions; completing a multimodal logistics chain with air transport playing a key role in the rapid transportation of high-value goods, creating a competitive advantage and attracting airlines, logistics companies, and international aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) corporations.

Therefore, the proposed upgrade of Quang Tri Airport to level 4E is necessary to meet projected transportation needs and contribute to positioning Quang Tri as a logistics and industrial center of the North Central region and the Quang Tri – Salavan (Laos) – Ubon Ratchathani (Thailand) economic corridor.

To ensure the full persuasiveness of the revised planning document, the Ministry of Construction requests the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam and the TEDI consultant to review and supplement the forecast data on cargo transport demand in Quang Tri province and the Quang Tri – Salavan – Ubon Ratchathani economic corridor, especially clarifying the demand for high-value cargo expected to be transported through the airport.

According to Decision No. 648/QD-TTg dated June 7, 2023, of the Prime Minister, the establishment of aircraft maintenance and repair centers has been planned at major airports with good infrastructure and international flight routes, including Chu Lai Airport in Da Nang City.

In addition, the Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company Limited (HAECO) is currently interested in investing in providing MRO services at Van Don International Airport; Gia Binh International Airport has received approval from investors for investment with the goal of becoming an MRO center for the Asia-Pacific region; and Long Thanh International Airport is also aiming to become a regional-level center for maintenance and overhaul of aircraft engines and equipment.

"Therefore, regarding the plan to establish an additional aircraft repair and maintenance center at Quang Tri Airport, the Ministry of Construction requests the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam and the TEDI consulting firm to further assess the impact and effects on the aforementioned airports, as well as on Chu Lai Airport in the central coastal region," the document stated.

According to the Ministry of Construction, Quang Tri Airport is currently being invested in under a public-private partnership model with an operating and revenue-recovery period of approximately 47 years. Any study to adjust the airport's classification, which would lead to adjustments to airfield facilities (runways, taxiways) and increase the total investment of the project, needs careful consideration.

Therefore, the Ministry of Construction requests the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam and the TEDI consulting firm to proactively work with the People's Committee of Quang Tri province and relevant units to review and assess the impact of the Quang Tri Airport construction project under the PPP method (land use requirements, land clearance, total investment, financial plan, etc.), ensuring investment efficiency.

Previously, in Submission No. 5770, the Vietnam Civil Aviation Authority proposed adjusting the classification of Quang Tri Airport from 4C to 4E, stemming from the province's strategic location within the East-West economic corridor and the Quang Tri-Salavan-Ubon Ratchathani corridor, as well as the new development needs after its merger with the former Quang Binh province.

Specifically, the Quang Tri Provincial Planning, approved by Decision No. 1737/QD-TTg dated December 29, 2023, of the Prime Minister, identified Quang Tri as a logistics and goods transshipment center for the North Central region and the Central coastal region; creating advantages for the development of logistics, industry, trade, and tourism, and creating a demand for large-scale air transport.

Currently, a multimodal logistics chain is taking shape with expressways, National Highway 1, National Highway 9, the La Lay - Southeast Economic Zone road, and the My Thuy and Cua Viet seaport systems, in which air transport plays a crucial role in the rapid movement of passengers and high-value goods.

"The upgrading of Quang Tri Airport to level 4E aims to complete the multimodal logistics chain, create a competitive advantage, attract airlines, logistics businesses, international aircraft maintenance and repair corporations, and open international routes," said a leader of the Vietnam Civil Aviation Authority.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/lam-ro-dinh-huong-xay-dung-to-hop-cong-nghiep-hang-khong-tai-san-bay-quang-tri-d453392.html