The decision was based on the expansion scenario proposed by the French consultant company ADPI, Phuc said during a Government meeting in Hanoi on March 28.

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Tan Son Nhat airport (Source: Baoxaydung)

According to ADPI, a 200,000sq.m-wide passenger terminal capable of serving 20 million travelers will be constructed to the south of Ho Chi Minh City’s sole airport. It is projected to cost about 18 trillion VND (784.8 million USD).

The land lot north of the airport, including a golf resort and 16ha of vacant land managed by the Defence Ministry, will also be used for supporting facilities like a cargo terminal, aircraft repair station and logistics, but not until 2025.

Other consultants hired by Ho Chi Minh City authorities proposed expanding the airport to the north.

However, the French company argued that a similar passenger terminal built to the north, instead of the south, would cost twice as much at about 36 trillion VND while the terminals – old and new – will not be connected.

The Government leader asked the Ministry of Transport to link ADPI with local consultants to finalise the expansion proposal, and start looking for investment to begin the construction as well as possible given that the airport has already surpassed its planned 2020 capacity by 44 percent.

The extended Tan Son Nhat airport is expected to serve at least 50 million passengers a year.

Source: VNA