Quang Tri pushes forward with airport project

Although the Lunar New Year of the Snake 2025 is approaching, there is a vibrant and urgent work atmosphere at the Quang Tri Airport construction site. This reflects the strong determination of local authorities, investors, and construction teams to meet the goal of putting Quang Tri Airport into operation by July 2026.

These days, taking advantage of the stable weather, hundreds of staff, engineers, and workers, along with numerous machines and equipment from CIENCO4 Group Joint Stock Company, are working diligently on the construction of the aircraft parking apron and material shoulder for package XL02. This is a crucial component of the project, with the parking apron covering an area of 30,600 m2, and the completion of crushed stone base construction and M150 cement concrete pouring for the first layer.

Construction site. Photo: Le Truong

According to Nguyen Manh Hung, Director of the Quang Tri Airport Operation Board, the biggest challenge at the moment is the frequent rainfall, which has been affecting construction progress.

However, with a strong commitment to ensuring the schedule is met, after careful preparation regarding equipment and personnel, the team has implemented appropriate construction methods.

This includes mobilizing nearly 100 staff, engineers, and workers who work in shifts, including Saturdays and Sundays, to complete the project components. Currently, they are focusing on trial pouring M350 cement concrete on the entire area of the aircraft parking apron, with progress exceeding 50%.

"The overall progress of the project package has reached 39.22%. However, there is still a substantial amount of work to be done, with the target to complete key components immediately after the 2025 Lunar New Year. These components include the material shoulder of the parking apron, removal of organic soil for the leveling, construction of the safety embankment, and drainage system. Therefore, with the spirit of ‘overcoming the sun, conquering the rain’ and ‘seizing every moment to work fast and sleep fast,’ there is virtually no silence on the XL02 package construction site. Wherever the land is ready, we immediately mobilize equipment and labor to start. Most workers live and eat at the construction command center. We are focused on completing the apron construction as quickly as possible with the highest quality to proceed with the next stages of the project,” Hung shared.

The construction site from above.

The construction of Quang Tri Airport officially began on July 6, 2024, in Gio Quang, Gio Hai, and Gio Mai communes (Gio Linh District), covering more than 265 hectares.

The project is being built to meet the standards of a 4C airport and a military-grade II airport, capable of handling Code E aircraft. It is designed to serve up to 5 million passengers annually and handle 25,500 tons of cargo per year, with a total investment of over VND5,800 billion. A consortium of T&T Infrastructure Investment and Development Co., Ltd. and CIENCO4 Group Joint Stock Company won the project contract.

According to the Quang Tri Provincial Project Investment and Construction Management Board, the second component of the Quang Tri Airport project is currently being focused on by CIENCO4 Group. So far, the construction of the aircraft parking apron and material shoulder has reached 92% completion. Of that, 2,371 m2 of material shoulder has been constructed, and is expected to be completed by January 2025. The internal service roads have mostly finished the crushed stone base layer and are now connecting the apron area with other auxiliary facilities of the project.

Regarding land clearance, 239.64 hectares out of 265.3 hectares have been handed over to the investor. The remaining area is currently being actively coordinated by the Gio Linh District People’s Committee to complete.

For resettlement work, two resettlement areas in Gio Mai and Gio Hai communes have received approval for economic-technical reports, and local authorities are proceeding with the next steps. Two school sites in Gio Hai commune have approved feasibility studies, and the Gio Linh District People’s Committee is directing consultants to finalize design drawings to proceed with the construction.

Recently, during a field inspection of the GPMB work at the Quang Tri Airport project, the Acting Chairman of the Quang Tri Provincial People’s Committee, Ha Sy Dong, requested that the Gio Linh District People’s Committee closely cooperate with the investor to accelerate the completion of the remaining GPMB, especially the 14.79 hectares of the core area. He also called for a review and completion of temporary relocation arrangements and expedited construction of resettlement areas so that the residents are assured and can actively cooperate with local authorities during the land handover process. He also emphasized that relevant agencies and units must continue to support the investor throughout the project, solving emerging issues and responding to legitimate proposals from local authorities and residents to ensure smooth and timely land clearance for the Quang Tri Airport project.

The second component of the Quảng Trị Airport Investment Project entails the construction of the airport, with a total investment of over VND5 trillion and a projected 50-year implementation timeline. The objective is to create an airport that addresses the increasing demand for air travel while also contributing to the socio-economic development of the region.

The project also ensures national defense and security in the Central region, particularly in Quảng Trị Province, in line with transportation development planning. The designated area for the airport’s construction spans 265.3 hectares across the communes of Gio Quang, Gio Hải, and Gio Mai in Gio Linh District, excluding the 51.2-hectare military zone. T&T Group Joint Stock Company is the proposed investor for the project.

Quảng Trị Airport is planned to meet 4C standards, capable of handling Code E aircraft, and is designated as a Grade 2 military airport. It is designed to accommodate approximately 5 million passengers and 25,500 tons of cargo annually. The project is split into two investment phases.

Phase 1, set for completion before 2026, will establish the foundational infrastructure, enabling the handling of around 500,000 passengers annually. This phase includes a 2,400-meter-long, 45-meter-wide runway, a 15-meter-wide taxiway linking the runway to aircraft parking positions, an apron with 3 parking spots for Code C aircraft, a passenger terminal, and necessary aviation support infrastructure.

Phase 2 will involve the construction of additional airside infrastructure in 2029, 2043, and 2050 to boost operational capacity. Ground infrastructure and airport control facilities will be completed by 2029. Furthermore, aviation and non-aviation service facilities will be developed to enhance airport operations. A significant terminal expansion is planned for 2029 to accommodate up to 2.2 million passengers annually. The terminal and parking area in front of the terminal will be further expanded in 2047.

Le Truong - Ngoc Mai