On October 29, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung attended a ceremony marking the completion of the second runway and welcomed the first international flight to Phu Cat Airport in Gia Lai Province.
The deputy prime minister said Phu Cat Airport is important for links between Vietnam's south-central coast and the Central Highlands. It helps complete the transport network and expand development opportunities for the province.
"Transport infrastructure should come first and open the way for development. Coordinated investment in strategic infrastructure improves connectivity, creates new development space, attracts resources, speeds up economic restructuring and improves people's lives," he said.
He said putting the second runway into operation was an important step in completing Gia Lai's transport infrastructure and reflected the Party and State's determination to develop strategic infrastructure. He also acknowledged the efforts of the province's authorities and residents to strengthen interregional links and connect with the international market.
To make the facility more effective, he asked the Gia Lai People's Committee to coordinate with the Ministry of Construction, the Ministry of National Defence, specialized agencies and the airport operator. The airport must operate safely, consistently, effectively and in accordance with regulations.
The province should work with airlines, travel companies and international partners to increase flights to and from Phu Cat. It should maintain and expand domestic routes and gradually develop international flights to promote local tourism and use the province's tourism potential.
Pham Anh Tuan, chairman of the Gia Lai People's Committee, said the second-runway project had increased aviation infrastructure capacity and created opportunities for Gia Lai to connect more quickly and efficiently with economic and tourism centers in Vietnam and abroad.
"The province sees Phu Cat Airport not only as a passenger transport facility but also as a hub for tourism, trade, services and logistics, investment attraction and expanded markets for local products," Tuan said.
The second runway and associated airfield facilities cost more than VND3.2 trillion. The runway is designed to be more than 3 km long and 45 m wide. The project is intended to increase operating capacity, meet air-transport demand and improve the province's connectivity.
According to the Gia Lai Transport and Civil Works Project Management Board, the project's investor, work was organized in "three shifts and four crews," including during holidays, and at times continued day and night.
After more than a year of urgent work, the facility was completed on schedule.
With two airports, Phu Cat and Pleiku, Gia Lai has more opportunity to strengthen connections with destinations in Vietnam and abroad, supporting trade, investment attraction and tourism development.
After the upgrade, Phu Cat Airport can receive Code C aircraft such as the A320, A321 and equivalent models. Its ability to receive Code E aircraft will depend on the conditions and operating plan approved by the competent authorities.
Sources: Dân Trí
