On May 20, speaking with Lao Dong Newspaper, a representative of Vietnam Airports Corporation (ACV) said that the project to repair the runway and taxiway system at Lien Khuong International Airport (Lam Dong province) is expected to start construction in the fourth quarter of 2025.
However, the official implementation time will be determined after there is a specific agreement between ACV and Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee.
The project is invested by ACV. According to the plan, all existing runways will be completely repaired.
Runway 09-27 is 3,250 m long and 45 m wide, and the road surface and material sidewalk systems on both sides will be renovated. Important items such as the head-to-head trial area, head-to-head band and end safety area will also be upgraded synchronously.
The E1, E2 and parallel taxiway systems are also undergoing renovation, including road surfaces and sidewalks, as well as handling the connecting sections from the taxiway to the existing runway and parking lot.
One of the key items of the project is to improve the drainage system. Sewer and ditch systems will be newly built or replaced to increase drainage capacity. In addition, the existing service road system will also have additional drainage culverts.
The entire signal painting system will be renewed according to technical standards. At the same time, ACV will add and replace the lighting system, aviation license plate and source equipment.
The Line of Accuracy Landing Equipment (ILS) will be temporarily dismantled during the construction process, then reinstalled with the replacement of some equipment and materials.
ACV added that this infrastructure upgrade is not only for maintenance but also has a strategic significance in improving service capacity, creating conditions for airlines to increase operating frequency, while attracting more international airlines to expand the flight network to Lam Dong.
Lien Khuong airport is located in Lien Nghia town (Duc Trong district), about 28 km from the center of Da Lat city. Built in 2013, the airport has been upgraded many times and is now eligible to operate aircraft such as Airbus A320, A321. Each year, the airport serves about 2.5 million passengers.
Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee has recommended that investors choose a reasonable time to close the airport, avoiding the peak tourist season to minimize the impact on people and businesses.
At the same time, it is required to speed up investment preparation to be ready for construction as soon as the airport is closed, with the goal of shortening the construction time from 8 months to 6 months.
According to the plan, by 2030, Lien Khuong airport will reach level 4E, capable of receiving wide-body aircraft such as Boeing 787, Airbus A350, serving 5 million passengers and 20,000 tons of cargo per year.
After 2030, the runway will be extended to 3,600 m, increasing its capacity to 7 million passengers/year.
Technical infrastructure will also be invested synchronously with terminal T2, cargo terminal, aircraft maintenance area, fuel station and wastewater treatment system. The total planned area by 2050 is about 340 hectares.
The goal of the plan is to turn Lien Khuong into an important air gateway for the Central Highlands, connecting Da Lat with major domestic and foreign economic and tourism centers.
