The plans were announced by the Ministry of Transportation and Lai Chau People’s Committee at a ceremony in Lai Chau on June 13.

The Lai Chau airport, which will be located near Tan Uyen, 60 km southwest of the provincial capital, is scheduled to go into operation in 2012, and is a targeting welcoming 7,300 passengers per year.

The airport terminal, will be capable of handling 40,000 passengers and 100 tonnes of freight a year. These numbers are expected to reach 110,000 passengers and 300 tonnes of cargo after the airport is upgraded in 2030.