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.
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