Central province wants airport on Ly Son Island

The airport would boost socio-economic development on the island in particular and the province in general, it has argued.

In its proposal to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, the province envisages an airport capable of receiving narrow-body aircraft like the Airbus A320, A321 and similar models.

At present, the island is only accessible by boats, which is an inconvenience for tourists, the province says in the proposal, asking that the airport be added to the aviation master plan for the next 10 years.

An airport will play a significant role in boosting socio-economic development of Ly Son and ensuring national security, it said.

The latest aviation infrastructure plan proposed by the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) does not include an airport in Ly Son.

In fact, it has rejected five proposals for new airports to be built in as many localities.

Transport authorities and experts have expressed concern over an airport glut in the country, with many airports reporting losses.

Ly Son, 30 kilometers off the coast of Quang Ngai Province, has an area of 10 square kilometers. It is one of very few volcanic islands in Vietnam. The island welcomes 200,000 tourists a year.

In March, Quang Ngai had agreed to establish a speed boat service between Ly Son and Da Nang City.