Vietnam’s Phu Cat airport will be ready for international flights come September after recently completing upgrades to the tarmac, domestic terminal and radar system.
The airport has drawn upon VND10 billion ($429,000) funding from Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) for terminal repairs and upgrades, and all work will be completed by the end of August.
That will see its older terminal will be converted to an international terminal, while the newer one continues to serve domestic flights, says the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV).
Cirium’s schedules data shows the airport services domestic routes to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, operated by Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways, VietJet Air, and Jetstar Pacific. So far, it has handled Airbus A320 and A321 jets.
Phu Cat airport has secured commitments from Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways, and VietJet Air to launch international flights once the airport upgrades are complete and certified. Together, the airport and carriers are also working with tour operators to attract tourists.
Vietnam Airlines will launch international flights to China, four times weekly, while Bamboo has plans for direct flights to Seoul, starting September.
Vuong Tran Quang Tran, Bamboo Airways’ chief representative in Binh Dinh province, says the carrier’s three domestic routes between Qui Nhon and Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Hai Phong are operating at more than 90% capacity. As such, offering international flights to the region is the carrier’s top priority.
Read the full article at Flight Global: https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/vietnams-phu-cat-airport-goes-international-in-sept-459773/