Once completed in 2012, the Phu Quoc international airport is expected to meet the 4E category of the International Civil Aviation Organisation to ensure the landing of modern aircraft such as B777 and B747-700 and a limited number of the current largest planes such as A380-800.

The 16.2 trillion VND project will cover over 905 ha of land to welcome 20 planes at the peak hours and 7 million passengers a year. The first phase from now till 2020 will take in half of the total investment that will come from the Southern Airports Corporation.

At the ground-breaking ceremony, PM Dung emphasised the importance of the project as a springboard of development for not only the island district of Phu Quoc but also the entire nation.

He called on other relevant agencies to work closely with the Kien Giang administration in upgrading the infrastructure system systematically, emphasizing the north-south transport highway, the island belt road and connection roads.

Only by so doing, should we turn Phu Quoc island district into a national mecca of tourism, services and commerce, concluded the Government leader.