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Chu Lai airport : integration into the domestic network

Vietnam Airlines is becoming a big regional carrier with an expected fleet of some 40 aircraft by 2005. The strong growth will allow it to operate routes to many destinations around the world and to completely cover domestic air routes. Chu Lai Airport in Danang is one of them. The Saigon Times Weekly interviewed Mr. Nguyen Xuan Hien, general director of Vietnam Airlines, who supports the restoration of the airport.

Do you think it was a waste to leave the airport vacant for 27 years?

There were many surveys for this airport. The U.S. once planned to develop it into a large military base. We have not used the airport over the past 27 years because we have not had the need and have not been able to develop it at the same time with Danang Airport.

Do you think that Chu Lai Airport can now be put into service?

We need a large sum of money to restore Chu Lai Airport but if we leave it as it is, it will run down and the cost for restoration will be even larger in the future. If we put the airport into service now, at least we will have personnel for maintenance and flight services.

From an economic view, won't Chu Lai only share passengers with Danang?

That's true. But sooner or later, we must develop a stable domestic transport operation and integrate Chu Lai into the domestic airport network. The central region currently has three airports-Phu Bai (Hue), Danang and Chu Lai. If all are developed into international airports, passengers will be shared. But it would be convenient if they serve just domestic flights.

Do you think Danang still remains the major airport of the central region?

I think Danang should remain an international airport for passenger and cargo transport. Chu Lai should be a domestic airport for passenger transport and an international airport for cargo transshipment. This is feasible, especially when Dung Quat Industrial Zone is developed in Quang Ngai Province and Chu Lai Open Economic Zone is built in Quang Nam Province. Meanwhile, the airport in Hue should only serve international tourists. What I'm most interested in the central region is that we should develop civil aviation in Cam Ranh after the Russians return this military base to Vietnam.

So, you are more interested in Cam Ranh?

Cam Ranh is only 50-60 km from Nha Trang, a famous and attractive resort. Flights from Hanoi, HCM City and Danang to Nha Trang are always full. However, Nha Trang Airport only serves simple aircraft training. Its surrounding territory is difficult, night flights are impossible and the runway cannot be lengthened. So, Cam Ranh Airport is good for this area.

But Cam Ranh is an important military base in the region. Do you think it is feasible to develop civil aviation there?

The spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently announced that Vietnam did not intend to lease Cam Ranh to a foreign country and would use it for economic purposes. Moreover, civil aviation development does not rule out the possibility of military service. I think what is beneficial for military purposes should be maintained.

By Huy Duc - The Saigon Tmes Weekly - March 16, 2002.


Hue - Siem Reap air route inaugurated

HUE - An air tourism route linking Viet Nam's Hue ancient city with Cambodia's Siemreap province was inaugurated at Phu Bai airport in the central province of Thua Thien Hue this morning, March 16. The air route is part of a programme to develop aviation and tourism cooperation between Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Viet Nam.

Right after the inaugural ceremony, the first flight carrying 72 passengers, including four foreign tourists, left Hue for Siemreap. These tourists will make a tour of Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Banteay Sery Temple and a number of fine art and handicrafts establishments in Cambodia.

Vietnam News Agency - March 16, 2002.