On the afternoon of July 16, Lam Dong authorities and ACV held a working session to discuss plans to upgrade and renovate Lien Khuong International Airport.

A key topic was the timing of the airport’s temporary closure to allow for the renovation.

Vu The Phiet, Chairman of ACV’s Board of Directors, stated that Lien Khuong Airport is showing signs of deterioration and is in urgent need of renovation and upgrades.

ACV had originally planned to shut down the airport for construction during the dry season in November 2025, with efforts to shorten the closure period as much as possible.

However, this proposed timeline raised concerns. At the meeting, Lam Dong Province Chairman Ho Van Muoi expressed worries about the potential negative impact on the province’s socioeconomic development.

He explained that closing the airport in November 2025 would be especially problematic, as key national highways in the region are also under repair and expansion.

Simultaneous closures could seriously disrupt transportation and hinder economic growth plans.

Speaking at the session, Y Thanh Ha Nie Kdam, Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, and Head of the National Assembly Delegation of Lam Dong, urged ACV and the provincial government to reach consensus on the timing of the closure to ensure smooth project implementation and minimize economic disruption.

The Secretary noted that Lam Dong’s mountainous terrain and Da Lat’s remote location make transportation far more challenging compared to coastal provinces, and asked ACV to take this into serious consideration.

In response to the province’s request to postpone the closure until 2026, when key road projects are expected to be completed, ACV Chairman Vu The Phiet committed to maintaining operations through the end of 2025.

The closure is now scheduled for March 2026, with work expected to finish before the onset of the rainy season.

Lien Khuong International Airport is a vital transportation hub connecting Lam Dong with other domestic and international destinations.

However, it is nearing capacity. In the first half of 2025, the airport served over 989,000 passengers. By 2030, passenger numbers are expected to exceed 3.5 million annually, with an average annual growth rate of 10%.

Expansion and upgrades are essential to accommodate this rising demand, particularly as the airport aims to meet full international standards.

ACV stated that upgrading the airport is not only a short-term solution but also a long-term investment.

The corporation plans to invest approximately USD 146 million to build a new passenger terminal and associated infrastructure, raising capacity to over 5 million passengers annually beyond 2030.

PV