Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi.

In a report submitted to the Ministry of Transport in early May, the CAAV suggested keeping the current number of airports, both planned for construction and fully operational, of 28 by 2030 and adding just one more airport in the northern province of Cao Bang by 2050.

The proposals for building five airports in the northern provinces of Bac Giang, Ha Giang, Ninh Binh, central Ha Tinh province, and southern Binh Phuoc province were rejected. 

There were six main criteria for airport construction, according to the Transport Ministry’s Department of Planning and Investment. 

They include the future forecast demand for passenger volume, evaluating its role in promoting socio-economic development, ensuring national defence and security, emergency relief, natural conditions and access to a city centre.

Of these, the demand for passenger volume and natural conditions were the most important criteria.