Phú Quốc International Airport is poised for a monumental transformation. The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has announced plans to expand its capacity to handle up to 18 million passengers annually by 2050. This ambitious development is expected to not only bolster the island’s connectivity but also drive further growth in tourism and cargo handling.
Under a proposal submitted to the Ministry of Transport, the expansion will significantly increase the airport’s capacity. By 2030, the plan aims to serve 10 million passengers and manage 25,000 tonnes of cargo per year. It also aims to establish Phú Quốc as a dual-purpose facility for both civilian and military operations.
The project, approved by the Prime Minister in 2023, is a key component of Vietnam’s broader national airport system development strategy. In the short term, the airport will be upgraded to a 4E-class facility by 2029, meeting International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards. It will also be classified as a level 2 military airport, further solidifying its importance in the country’s infrastructure.
Among the upgrades planned for the airport are the addition of 30 aircraft stands capable of accommodating large planes such as the Boeing 747, 787, and the Airbus A350. By 2050, this number will rise to 45 stands, with nine allocated for code E aircraft and 36 for code C models. The airport will also see its cargo capacity double to 50,000 tonnes annually.
Phú Quốc, often called the “Pearl Island,” has rapidly become one of Vietnam’s premier tourist destinations. In 2023, the island city attracted over 5.5 million visitors, marking a 14% increase compared to the previous year. These tourists accounted for approximately 67% of the total arrivals to Kiên Giang Province.
Tourism revenue for the city surged to nearly VNĐ13.93 trillion (US$567.45 million) in 2023, a remarkable 92.5% jump from the previous year. This growth reflects the success of various efforts to enhance local attractions and tourism infrastructure and the island’s increasing appeal to both domestic and international travelers.
