Proposal to temporarily close Vinh Airport for 4 months for renovations.
The renovation and upgrading of Vinh Airport will help ensure flight safety, enhance the capacity to operate new, modern aircraft such as the Airbus A320/A321, and meet the travel needs of the people.
According to information from the leadership of Vinh International Airport, the Vietnam Airports Corporation (ACV) has submitted a document to the Ministry of Transport requesting consideration and approval of the plan for renovation, repair, and investment preparation for the project to renovate and repair the runways and taxiways of Vinh International Airport.
According to ACV, Vinh Airport underwent renovations and was put into operation from 1993 to 2000. From 2001 to 2003, Vinh Airport received investment for the extension and expansion of its runway, enabling it to accommodate Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft with reduced load or equivalent. Meanwhile, air traffic at Vinh Airport has experienced rapid and sustainable growth in recent years, averaging 15% between 2015 and 2019, with passenger volume exceeding 2.6 million in 2022 alone.
According to the inspection and assessment report by ADCC Aviation Construction Design and Consulting Company Limited, the runways and taxiways at Vinh Airport have deteriorated and reached the end of their design lifespan.
The asphalt concrete pavement has shown typical damage such as deformation of the asphalt concrete surface, wheel ruts; longitudinal cracks, hairline cracks; and detachment of asphalt concrete aggregate… along the landing gear tracks of aircraft, affecting operational safety.
Most recently, at 9:33 AM on July 3, 2023, when flight VN1261 reached the takeoff position at the beginning of runway 17 at Vinh Airport, the pilot discovered that sections of asphalt concrete had peeled off at the beginning of runway 17. Vinh Airport determined that the area of asphalt concrete peeling off at the beginning of runway 17 covered approximately 41.6 square meters.2(5.2m wide, 8m long).
The incident was assessed by ACV as a level C incident (threatening safety leading to temporary airport closure), resulting in the cancellation of 21 flights. Vinh Airport closed its runway for 24 hours for repairs. The airport resumed operations at 7:00 AM on July 4, 2023, after runway repairs were completed. However, this still significantly impacted passengers' schedules, forcing many to travel by alternative means.
To ensure safe, sustainable, and long-term operation, and to enhance the operational capacity of Vinh International Airport to handle new, modern aircraft such as fully loaded Airbus A320/A321s, ACV proposes the renovation and repair of the existing runway and taxiway system; the construction of braking strips at both ends of the runway, measuring 100x60m; and the renovation and repair of the safety strips at the ends and sides of the runway.
The proposed runway construction uses reinforced concrete pavement to thoroughly address deterioration, extend lifespan, and mitigate adverse weather conditions.
ACV (Airports Corporation of Vietnam) has projected a total investment of VND 745 billion for the project to renovate and repair the runways and taxiways at Vinh International Airport, using state-funded aviation infrastructure maintenance funds. Simultaneously, it has proposed closing the airport for construction after the peak Lunar New Year holiday in 2025 and completing construction before the peak summer season in 2025.
The upgrading and renovation of Vinh Airport is necessary and has been directly proposed by the Vietnam Airports Corporation to the Ministry of Transport. If approved, the corporation will plan to inform and educate passengers about this matter so that people can proactively arrange their schedules. The renovation should take place between after the Lunar New Year 2025 and before the peak summer season of 2025, as this is the off-peak season and will have minimal impact on people's travel.
Mr. Nghiem Manh Tuan - Director of Vinh International Airport
