Da Nang authorities have submitted a proposal to the central government to develop Chu Lai Airport into a large-scale aviation and economic hub under a public–private partnership (PPP), with total investment estimated at USD10 billion. The plan includes USD3.3 billion for a new international-standard airport and USD6.7 billion for associated commercial and industrial developments.
The proposal covers construction of a next-generation airport meeting ICAO Code 4F standards, alongside an integrated “airport ecosystem” comprising a 225-hectare free-trade zone, a 360-hectare industrial park and a 185-hectare eco-service urban area. The development would significantly expand passenger and cargo handling capacity and position Chu Lai as a major logistics and aviation node in central Vietnam.
Chu Lai Airport is located within the Chu Lai Open Economic Zone between Da Nang and Quang Ngai. Under Vietnam’s national airport master plan, the airport is targeted to handle 10 million passengers and 1.5 million tonnes of cargo annually by 2030, rising to 30 million passengers by 2050. Da Nang has requested to act as the authorised state agency for the PPP, while an alternative option would see Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) invest in and operate the airport and its surrounding developments.