Central province gets green light for $346-mln airport

According to the detailed plans, which have been approved by the ministry, it will be a 316-hectare domestic airport in Gio Quang Commune, Gio Linh District.

To be built under the public-private partnership (PPP) model, it has a price tag of VND8 trillion ($346 million), and a capacity of one million passengers a year.

Infrastructure conglomerate T&T Group will carry out a pre-feasibility study for the project.

Bids from prospective private partners would be invited in June, Le Duc Tien, vice chairman of the province, said.

Local authorities are determined to start construction of the airport this year, he added.

Currently people seeking to travel to Quang Tri have to fly into Thua Thien-Hue or Quang Binh Province, both some 100 km away.

Several provinces and cities are clamoring for airports, including the northern province of Ninh Binh, the central province of Ha Tinh and the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau.

Vietnam has 22 civilian airports, including 10 international air hubs.