The air traffic control tower of Long Thành International Airport will be completed and handed over before December 8. — VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY —  Two key projects of the HCM City Air Traffic Control Centre and the Facilities for Air Traffic Management at Long Thành International Airport, are being finished ahead of schedule.

The two are elements of part Phase 1 of the expansion of the airport, reported the Việt Nam Air Traffic Management Corporation (VATM).

VATM recently launched a campaign with a consortium of contractors to fast track the schedule marking the 30th anniversary of the transfer of airspace management rights over the southern part of the HCM City Flight Information Region (FIR HCM).

Lê Hoàng Minh, chairman of the VATM members' council, said that the projects are strategically import and will enhance the air traffic management capacity of VATM.

However he added that they are entering a critical construction phase of work at the airport and will encounter many unforeseen difficulties, especially the requirement to work at heights, which might slow down the progress.

Therefore, he said that contractors and supervisory consultants were requested to focus on mobilising all available resources, including labour and materials, along with equipment to ensure that the projects are completed on schedule. They need to commit to reducing the timeline as much as possible while absolutely ensuring quality and safety for both personnel and equipment, and preventing any accidents during high-altitude work.

The project management boards and specialised departments of VATM must create all conditions and mechanisms to maximise convenience within the legal framework, aiming to resolve any financial pressures on contractors, ensuring timely disbursement so that they have the conditions to enhance labour, machinery and materials to meet construction progress requirements.

"Upon completion, these projects will meet the growth demands of aviation transport domestically and regionally, promote sustainable economic and environmental development, and ensure the security and defence of the nation's airspace," the chairman said.

Representatives of the investor's project management boards and contractors have signed a commitment to the progress milestones of the project components during this campaign.

Specifically, the project of Facilities for Air Traffic Management commits to completing the concrete pouring of the air control tower up to a height of 107.88m before September 24 (as per the approved plan, this is to be completed by November 25); selecting the contractor for the package of supplying and installing primary and secondary radar systems before September 24; and handing over the navigation guidance building by December 8 – the anniversary of the 30th year of managing the southern part of the FIR HCM.

The project of HCM Air Traffic Control Centre commits to completing the aluminium and glass cladding and exterior painting of the operations building before December 31, ahead of the approved schedule date of February 21, 2025. — VNS