This build-operate-transfer (BOT) project, is part of the national aviation development plan for the 2020-2030 period.

With the PM’s approval, between 2020 and 2030, Phan Thiet Airport will become a civil airport, meeting all standards of the International Civil Aviation Organisation. The runway will be able to serve large planes such as the Airbus A321.

The current airport is designed to serve search and rescue aircraft, and after 2030 it would be converted into a commercial airport.

The detailed project plan for Phan Thiet Airport has been approved by the People’s Committee of Binh Thuan Province, the ministries of Transport and National Defense and other related agencies.

The next step will be the selection of contractors and the mobilisation of capital in the form of BOT.

To date, no airport in Vietnam has been built using the BOT model, which calls for the participation of private companies. So far in Vietnam, this model has only been used on certain road and seaport projects.