Da Nang Airport to Expand Domestic Terminal with $377M Investment

The Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV)'s Da Nang branch announced a $377 million (VND9.9 trillion) investment to expand the domestic terminal (T1) at Da Nang International Airport. The major expansion project is scheduled to take place from the third quarter of 2027 to the first quarter of 2029. The expansion will increase the current area by over 42,000 sq.m, bringing the total floor area for domestic and international passenger service zones to 96,000 sq.m. This will include key infrastructure such as a multi-storey parking section, wastewater treatment facilities, a flyover bridge, internal traffic routes, and a mechanical and electrical zone. ACV Da Nang stated that this will transform the airport into a smart international logistics center in Vietnam and Asia. The T1 terminal, built in 2011 at a cost of approximately $51 million, has been overloaded and congested since its inauguration due to higher-than-expected passenger traffic. The expansion aims to meet the growing demand for passenger and cargo services. ACV has already commenced construction on a new cargo terminal at the airport, capable of handling 100,000 tonnes of cargo annually, with an investment of around $24 million. The airport authority also plans to upgrade and expand six new parking areas capable of accommodating ICAO Aerodrome reference Code C aircraft later this year. Da Nang International Airport is Vietnam’s third-largest airport, following Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat and Hanoi’s Noi Bai. It is notable for being the first in Vietnam to offer completely automated passenger services from check-in to boarding, featuring systems like the Auto Gate, an automatic immigration declaration system, self-service bag drop, self-check-in kiosks, auto boarding gates, video call kiosks, and multi-language information search screens. The airport currently operates 24 direct air routes, including 16 international ones, with approximately 112 flights hosted daily. Last year, ACV Da Nang also provided emergency medical services in conjunction with the local Military Hospital C17 for urgent transport and response actions on flights. Furthermore, Da Nang city has proposed a $10 billion investment to upgrade the current Chu Lai International Airport, located about 90 kilometers south of the city center, to serve the increasing demand through 2050 due to tourism, investment, and logistics growth. Source: VnExpress International