With the strong growth of tourists to Da Nang, by dint of the opening of many new flights to Da Nang, the demand of airport expansion is necessary. Airport Corporation of Vietnam quickly finishes procedures of expanding plan of Da Nang International Airport in July 2015. Airport Corporation of Vietnam invested in constructing the airport's international terminal and new VIP building. Mr. Dinh La Thang, Minister of Vietnam transportation assigned Deputy Minister taking responsibility for aviation to direct plans of Da Nang International Airport expansion.
Simultaneously, the minister orders Airport Corporation of Vietnam to coordinate with ministries' agencies to approve project and design. The minister agreed to establish the Joint Stock Company to invest in the construction of International Terminal in June 2015 to meet the demand of international flights from/to Da Nang (along with the operation of current terminal) with the capacity of 4 million passengers per year. He also orders investors to make an agreement and sign contracts with land holders to have plans on clearance compensation. January 2016 will be the slowest month for the project to be started and inaugurated in June 2017.
Da Nang International Airport is the biggest airport in Central and Central Highlands of Vietnam. It is one of the largest airports in Vietnam, after Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City) and Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi). Da Nang International Airport is located in Hai Chau District, about 3km from Da Nang City center, with a total area of 842 ha, 150ha of which is civil aviation area. This is an important airfield in Central Vietnam and the entire country. In 2013, the airport served 4.5 million passengers, ranking 3rd after Tan Son Nhat Airport (Ho Chi Minh City) 20 million, and Noi Bai International Airport 12 million. In 2014, the airport reached the capacity of 5 million passengers. It is expected that in 2015, the figure will reach 6 million passengers, increasing by 15% per year.
Da Nang Airport was built in 1940. During the wartime until 1975, Da Nang Airport is the air base of American arm force and Republic of Vietnam air force. Prior to 1975, Da Nang International Airport used to be one of the busiest airports in the world. Currently, there are four domestic and 13 international airlines having direct flights to Da Nang. From Da Nang, there are nine domestic and 25 international routes to other destinations in the world. At present, Vietnam civil aviation is using 150ha/820ha of the airport's area. This is a mixed airport (both civil and military); thus, it is necessary to divide the boundary of land use and management. It is expected to expand the area of using civil aviation up to 200ha. Also, it is a need to widen the international terminal, passenger serving area, cargo area, and material facilities to ensure the capacity of 10 million passengers per year and 1 million tons of cargo by 2020.
New Terminal of Da Nang International Airport was invested by Airport Corporation of Central Vietnam and constructed in December 2007 with the total capital of over 1,345 billion dongs. The new terminal was officially put into operation in December 2011. The terminal is built on an area of nearly 14,500 square meters, including three floors and one ground with an area of 36,600 square meters. The area of each functional area can meet the demand of serving 6 million passengers per year. They also meet the requirements of aesthetics, the weather condition in Central Vietnam, and level-7 earthquake load. In addition, there are special devices such as baggage handling systems and modern facilities, specialized electronic system, and auxiliary system... With 40 check-in counters and other modern amenities, the new station ensures the capacity of 4 million passengers per year and from 6-8 million passengers/year from 2015 onwards. Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) had a plan on extensive research for terminal expansion to reach 10 million passengers/year by 2020. There are more direct international flights from Da Nang International Airport to countries in Asia, Europe, as well as more domestic flights to destinations in Vietnam such as Quy Nhon, Phu Quoc...