Proposing to shorten Noi Bai airport closure due to increasing domestic flight demand

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Vietnam Airlines' A321 aircraft took off from Noi Bai Airport, Hanoi. (Photo: VNA)

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, after a short pause due to the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak, since the beginning of September, domestic airlines are quickly recovering. Some airlines even open new routes from Noi Bai International Airport, such as Bamboo Airways with their new Hanoi - Con Dao straight flight route. Therefore, domestic flight frequency has increased in recent times.

The fact that flight frequency has increased whist the operating capacity of Noi Bai International Airport currently can only ensure a maximum of 25 flights/hour, flights from Noi Bai airport are having to face delay possibilities, especially in the rush hours from 12 - 13 pm every day.

Meanwhile, the construction of runway CHC 11R / 29L is underway according to schedule. Therefore, in order to distance flights in time frames, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam proposed to the Ministry of Transport to shorten the closing time of Noi Bai International Airport. Accordingly, instead of closing from 0:30 to 6:30 am each day, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam suggested opening half an hour earlier, from 0:30 to 6:00 am.

Previously, under the direction of the Ministry of Transport, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam issued a document stated that Noi Bai International Airport would undergo a temporary closing time of 0:30 'to 6:30' from September 1, 2020 to January 31, 2021.

Noi Bai International Airport's runway under construction. (Photo: PLO)

In addition to the official closing time of Noi Bai International Airport, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has directed Noi Bai International Airport, Vietnam Flight Management Corporation to create favorable conditions for the construction units. Accordingly, in the interval between flights, the transportation of people, vehicles, and materials can still be processed. Construction activities are allowed to perform continuously on the runway CHC 11R / 29L, in accordance with the safety plan during construction approved by the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam.

This agency has recalculated the capacity of Noi Bai International Airport and only grants 25 flights/hour to operate.

On June 29, the Ministry of Transport officially started a project to renovate and upgrade the 11L / 29R (1A) runway at Noi Bai International Airport with the total investment of VND 2,031 billion, of which construction costs VND 1,449 billion, granting from the state budget capital.

Construction time is carried under 2 steps; in which, step 1 lasts for 6 months with the view of ensuring the exploitation of 3,200m of the 1B runway to meet with the flight demand in 2021 Lunar New Year. Step 2, which lasts for 12 months, will handle and bring the project into operation before 2022 Lunar New Year.

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