More flights, broader connections from Cat Bi Airport

More options

Since July 25, Sun PhuQuoc Airways has operated two daily round-trip routes from Hai Phong to Ho Chi Minh City and Phu Quoc. These are the airline’s first two routes in Hai Phong, providing additional direct travel options for residents, tourists and businesses.

The appeal of the new routes was evident from the time ticket sales began. Within a short period, the two routes recorded more than 5,000 bookings, with the number continuing to rise. The Hai Phong-Ho Chi Minh City route directly connects two major economic hubs, serving business travelers, entrepreneurs, experts and visitors. Meanwhile, the Hai Phong-Phu Quoc route creates an additional connection between two major marine and island tourism hubs, opening up opportunities to develop inter-regional tours.

Le Huy Truong, Deputy Director of Cat Bi International Airport, said demand for air travel through Cat Bi continues to rise. The addition of new routes to Ho Chi Minh City, Phu Quoc, South Korea and China not only provides passengers with more options but also enhances Hai Phong’s connectivity with domestic and international economic and tourism hubs. As airport infrastructure continues to be invested in, Cat Bi is expected to attract more airlines, expand its flight network and better meet the city’s growing travel and trade demand.

The new air routes not only meet travel demand but also create more opportunities for the tourism sector.

Pham Nhat Hai, Deputy Director of Viet Tourism Co., Ltd. in Ha Noi, said: “The addition of direct flights, especially routes from Hai Phong to major cities across the country and popular tourist destinations in South Korea and China, makes it easier for businesses to calculate itineraries, time and costs when developing tours and routes.”

Infrastructure keeps pace with demand

Along with expanding its flight network, Cat Bi International Airport is also strengthening its operational capacity. This is an essential requirement as the city expands its development space and demand for trade, investment and tourism continues to grow.

The T2 Passenger Terminal project at Cat Bi International Airport has a total investment of VND 2,689.8 billion. Built on an area of 23,200 m2, the terminal has a capacity of 5 million passengers per year and is gradually being completed, with many components nearly 50% finished.

The facility is designed to be expanded to a capacity of 10 million passengers per year as demand increases. Combined with a plan to raise T1 Terminal’s capacity to 3 million passengers per year, the airport aims to reach a total capacity of 13 million passengers annually by 2030.

Cat Bi’s operating space is also being expanded through the second-phase aircraft apron project, with a total investment of VND 1,151 billion and an area of 13.68 ha. The project will add 11 parking positions, bringing the total to 28 Code C parking positions, helping increase operational capacity and reduce the risk of overloading. Nearly 90% of the main component has been completed.

The cargo terminal at Cat Bi International Airport has an investment of VND 724 billion and a capacity of 100,000 tons of cargo per year, expandable to 250,000 tons. It is also basically complete and is nearing the handover stage.

Deputy Director of Cat Bi International Airport Le Huy Truong said: “The expansion of the flight network requires Cat Bi to continue improving service quality to better meet the needs of passengers and airlines. We identify improving operational capacity and service quality as important conditions for Cat Bi to attract more airlines and open more routes, thereby enhancing Hai Phong’s connectivity with domestic and international destinations.”

HAI MINH