This is a key infrastructure project to expand the space for economic, tourism and trade development of the southern part of the Red River Delta, while reducing pressure on airports in the Hanoi area.
According to the consulting unit, Ninh Binh Airport has a wide service area. The project is forecast to welcome about 4.5 million passengers by 2030 and reach 10 million by 2050. The project not only serves economic and tourism development but is also meaningful in ensuring national defense and security in the region.
Mr. Pham Quang Ngoc - Chairman of Ninh Binh Provincial People's Committee said that the International Airport Construction Investment Project in Ninh Binh is one of the key infrastructure orientations, associated with the overall planning of the national airport system for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050.
According to Mr. Ngoc, Ninh Binh province has a strategic location, located in the center between Hanoi and Thanh Hoa, adjacent to three major economic regions: the Red River Delta, North Central and Central Coast.
The locality has a complete road and waterway network but lacks aviation hubs, making connections to central areas limited. Tourists and businesses still have to travel to Noi Bai or to further airports, increasing travel costs and time.
Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Pham Quang Ngoc affirmed that Ninh Binh province agreed on the policy of research, planning and construction of the airport.
"The project needs to be presented convincingly, fully absorb comments, supplement legal and professional bases, and clarify the strategic significance of the project for the province and the area south of the Red River Delta" - Chairman of Ninh Binh Provincial People's Committee emphasized.
According to Mr. Ngoc, the choice of airport location must be based on careful comparison, consulting with central ministries and branches and ensuring consistency with the general planning of the province, as well as the national airport planning. After completion, the project will be submitted to the Provincial People's Committee and the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee for consideration.
The establishment of an international airport in Ninh Binh will contribute to promoting regional and inter-regional linkages, effectively exploiting the potential of heritage, cultural and spiritual tourism, creating more job opportunities and livelihoods for people.
According to the proposal and recommendation report to the Ministry of Construction, the province plans to have Ninh Binh International Airport located in Liem Tuyen ward, with a relatively favorable distance to key traffic hubs in the area.
The expected scale of the airport is planned to meet level 4E standards according to the classification of the International Civil Aviation Organization, with 2 parallel runways. The total planned area is about 720ha.
The initial designed capacity is about 10 million passengers/year; there is a reserve of land to expand to meet the development needs in the following stages.
