Two carriers, Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air, are operating flights to Điện Biện Province. VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI – The Ministry of Transport has just issued a document requesting relevant units to urgently complete the construction of the Điện Biên Airport expansion project for re-opening on December 2.

To ensure the quality and progress of the project, the Ministry of Transport requested Airports Corporation of Việt Nam (ACV) to direct the Project Management Board and contractors to use all resources, equipment and staff to urgently complete all remaining work and organise the project acceptance according to regulations for the Civil Aviation Authority of Việt Nam (CAAV) to grant permission to put it into operation.

CAAV and Construction Investment Management Department were assigned to closely monitor the construction site, urgently resolve tasks according to their authority, and promptly report to the ministry any difficulties and problems beyond their authority, or progress not occurring as scheduled.

CAAV has to organise a working group to conduct a field inspection at the airport from November 24 and complete it before November 28 to put it into operation.

In addition, CAAV proposed that the ministry set up teams for inspection and acceptance of the runway, taxiway, aircraft apron and passenger terminal constructions at the airport immediately after ACV has completed the project acceptance.

The Ministry of Transport issues a document announcing the results of the project inspection and acceptance November 28, so that CAAV takes it as a basis for approving the construction items to put them into operation and license flying procedure evaluation flights (with landing) scheduled for November 29 and 30.

In addition, CAAV also grants air transport rights and flight licences to Vietnam Airlines for the Hà Nội-Điện Biên-Hà Nội route, and Vietjet Air for the HCM City-Điện Biên-HCM City route.

The investment project expanding Điện Biên Airport with a total capital of more than VNĐ1.4 trillion (US$57.6 million) was started by Airports Corporation of Việt Nam, the Ministry of Transport, and the People's Committee of Điện Biên Province on January 22, 2022.

After expansion, the airport can receive Airbus A320/A321 aircraft or equivalent. VNS