Noi Bai expansion set for take off despite clearance concerns

The proposed expansion of Noi Bai airport would affect 300 households in Huong Gia hamlet, Phu Cuong commune

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) is seeking comments from ministries and agencies on the expansion of Noi Bai international airport, which covers 720 hectares of land of Phu Minh, Phu Cuong and Mai Dinh communes in Soc Son district.

The expansion would increase the airport’s capacity to 80-100 million passengers a year, and cost an estimated $5 billion, which would be sourced from domestic and foreign investors. Of this figure, $2 billion is allocated for site clearance (based on 2015 market prices).

The announcement of the Noi Bai expansion plan has reminded people of the controversial $16 billion Long Thanh international airport in the southern province of Dong Nai some years ago. At that time, the 5,000ha project also faced strong opposition due to its huge cost, feasibility, and its attractiveness to domestic and foreign investors.

Now many people are concerned that site clearance costs may rise when detailed planning of the expansion is made.

Tran Van Thong, head of Huong Gia hamlet of Phu Cuong commune, said that, “Huong Gia is home to more than 900 households, of which 300 are listed in the site clearance plan for the Noi Bai expansion. The total cleared area could cover over 30ha.”

However, Vo Huy Cuong, deputy head of the CAAV, told VIR that, “The expansion has been planned for years with careful consideration given to future outlooks. The attractiveness of the project will be clearer when the feasibility study is carried out.”

People once raised doubts over the Long Thanh airport project but now the project is going ahead and has seen interest from foreign investors, including GMR Group, Made in USA Works as well as some Japanese and US firms. The Japanese government previously proposed a $4.3 million grant to the project’s feasibility study.

According to Cuong, the expansion is extremely necessary, as Noi Bai not only serves the domestic demand but also works as an international entrepot. The airport, which has a designed capacity of 25 million passengers, is forecast to handle 18-19 million passengers this year. With the rising numbers of travellers set to continue, it is forecast to suffer overloads in the next two to three years.

“It’s time for Vietnam to make preparations for a feasibility report for the Noi Bai expansion project, otherwise it will experience a similar situation to Tan Son Nhat international airport, which is becoming overloaded amid sluggish development of the Long Thanh airport project,” he explained.

Under Hanoi’s transport planning by 2030 with a vision towards 2050, recently approved by the prime minister, Noi Bai international airport will meet the 4F airport standard set by the International Civil Aviation Organization, capable of accommodating B747-400, A350, B787, A380 aircraft. Its capacity will be increased to 60 million passengers a year, while its total area will be enlarged to 1,500ha.