The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) recently submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Construction, seeking approval for the investment policy to renovate the runway and taxiway system at Da Nang International Airport. This project is planned for phase 2026-2028.
According to the proposal, runway 35L/17R will be renovated to a length of 3,049 m and a width of 45 m. The project also includes constructing and renovating connecting taxiways between the two runways, 35R/17L and 35L/17R, and connecting to parallel taxiway W in the military area.
Additionally, the investor will build a rapid exit taxiway for runway 35L/17R, a connecting taxiway between the two runways, and a taxiway from runway 35R/17L to parallel taxiway E.
The project aims to upgrade the runway and taxiways to efficiently operate wide-body aircraft such as B747, B787, and A350. This upgrade will meet the growing air transport demand in Central Vietnam.
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An international airline's aircraft parked at Da Nang International Airport. Photo: Nguyen Dong |
An international airline's aircraft parked at Da Nang International Airport. Photo: Nguyen Dong
According to the CAAV, Da Nang International Airport currently has two parallel runways. Runway 17L/35R on the east side, 3,500 m long, was commissioned in 2012 and largely meets operational requirements.
However, runway 35L/17R on the west side, 3,049 m long, is degraded. After approximately 27 years of operation since its last major repair, the structure has exceeded its design life but has not received comprehensive renovation.
Due to increased operational frequency, the pavement structure of runway 35L/17R has deteriorated. Recorded issues include: cracked concrete slabs, corner breaks, edge breaks, shattered slabs, exposed aggregates, alligator cracking, map cracking, surface spalling, rutting, and ponding. The operating unit must conduct maintenance and repairs to sustain operational capability.
Given that the pavement structure has reached the end of its design life but continues to serve with high operational intensity, the risk of pavement material detachment is increasing, the CAAV assessed.
Comprehensive renovation investment for runway 35L/17R and the taxiway system at Da Nang Airport is deemed essential to definitively address the degradation and ensure long-term operational safety.
The project is also expected to enhance passenger and cargo service capacity, meet the growth in air transport demand, and contribute to promoting socio-economic development, strengthening national defense, and security for Da Nang city and the Central Coastal region.
Anh Duy
