​(News Portal – Dong Nai) - To ensure that Long Thanh International Airport Phase 1 can be operational by 2026, all of its component projects need to be synchronized in terms of progress. ​

The passenger terminal of Long Thanh Airport Phase 1 is currently ahead of schedule by 10-20 days. 

Passenger Terminal and Runway Ahead of Schedule

The investment project for Long Thanh Airport Phase 1 is divided into four component projects: Component 1 - government office buildings; Component 2 - air traffic management facilities; Component 3 - essential airport infrastructure; and Component 4 - other facilities.

Recently, the investment units have been making efforts to accelerate the progress of these component projects to ensure synchronization and project exploitation by 2026.

For Component 3, the most critical part of the Long Thanh Airport Phase 1 investment project, the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) reports that contractors have been actively working to meet the progress milestones. Specifically, for the construction and equipment installation package for the passenger terminal, contractors are currently pouring concrete for the building's floors. The main contractor has also submitted a list of equipment as per the bid documents, and 90% of the steel structures have arrived at the site. The installation of the steel structures for the passenger terminal is expected to begin in August 2024. “The passenger terminal package is currently 10-20 days ahead of schedule," said Mr. Vu The Phiet, General Director of ACV.

In the construction and installation package for the runway, taxiways, and aprons, contractors are also working to ensure timely progress. This package aims to complete, calibrate equipment, and conduct test flights by April 30, 2025, three months ahead of schedule.

The construction of the road network connecting the passenger terminal to National Highway 51 and the Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay Expressway is progressing as planned.

For Component 2, a representative from the Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation stated that the construction of the basic structures is meeting and exceeding requirements. Bidding for construction consultation for the installation packages has been completed by 50%, and tender documents are expected to be issued in June.

According to ACV, to ensure synchronization in the implementation of component projects, the Long Thanh Airport Project Management Board has been instructed to review the progress and construction timelines of the remaining packages to avoid conflicts and overlaps during the construction of the passenger terminal. "The progress of the completion of component projects, especially the essential packages, must align; otherwise, it will affect the overall connectivity and progress of the entire project," added Mr. Vu The Phiet.

Accelerating Progress on Component 4

Currently, Component 4 is the most delayed among the component projects of Long Thanh Airport Phase 1.

Component 4 includes the cargo terminal, aviation logistics area, aircraft maintenance area, catering services, and airline operation centers. According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, the biggest challenge lies in calculating the investors' contributions to the state budget throughout the project's lifecycle.

Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment, Mr. Do Thanh Trung, suggested that revenue, profit, and risk sharing in the project should follow international practices and be based on the specific operational characteristics of each sector. The Civil Aviation Authority should consult ACV's experience in non-aviation service bidding.

Mr. Vu The Phiet emphasized that essential elements of Component 4, such as the cargo terminal, aviation logistics area, aircraft maintenance area, and catering services, must be urgently implemented. Otherwise, even if other component projects are completed ahead of schedule, the entire project cannot be operational.

In a recent meeting with ministries, sectors, and the Provincial People's Committee to review the progress of the component projects in late May, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha, Head of the Long Thanh Airport Phase 1 Project Task Force, requested the Ministry of Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam to work with the Public Procurement Agency (Ministry of Planning and Investment) to clearly define and be responsible for standards and information related to services and products to select investors with adequate capacity, technology, reputation, and Vietnamese branding. The aim is to provide the best services, attract regional customers, and promote national identity in line with the scale of an international airport. "The components of Component 4 will determine the reputation, quality, and competitiveness of a regional international airport," Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha stated.

Additionally, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha stressed the importance of the completion timeline and the bidding process.