The £11billion airport in often overlooked Asian country to become ‘global hub’ – turning it into huge holiday hotspot
A HUGE $13billion (£11billion) new airport has revealed plans to become a major global hub.
Brit holidaymakers often overlook Vietnam opting to head to other destinations in Southeast Asia like Thailand and Indonesia.
But new plans hope to make a brand new airport in the country a major hub for airlines around the world.
When it opens, Long Thanh International Airport will be located around 40km from Ho Chi Minh City.
The new airport is being built to alleviate pressure on Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City Airport and Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, both of which are nearing capacity.
Construction work is already underway on the new airport, with the work set to be completed in three phases.
According to The Design Air, the first stage of construction work will cost $4.6billion (£3.6billion), with this part of the airport slated to open in 2025.
The first terminal will be able to accommodate up to 25million passengers each year.
A further three terminals will also be built, seeing annual passenger numbers increase to 100million.
A series of CGI renders show what the airport could look like when it opens.
Designed by Heerim Architects and Planners, the airport will have large glass windows as well as lots of light open spaces.
The outside of the building has been designed to resemble a lotus flower, with the theme continuing inside where the plans feature large lotus ponds and palm trees.
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When the airport opens in its entirety in 20240, it will become Vietnam‘s main airport, replacing Tan Son Nhat International Airport.
It is not yet known which airlines will operate from the new airport – although with the uptick in passenger numbers, there are likely to be direct flights to the UK.
Vietnam isn’t the only country set to get a huge new airport hub in the next few years.
King Salman International Airport
It’s likely that King Salman International Airport will be the world’s biggest airport when it opens in 2030.
The huge airport will have six runways and it will be able to accommodate up to 120million passengers each year.
It will also become the base for Riyadh Air, which is set to become Saudi Arabia‘s new national airline when commercial flights launch next year.
The new airline was unveiled nearly one year ago at the Paris Air Show, with the company showcasing its purple-coloured fleet.
Warsaw Solidarity Airport, Poland
Poland’s new mega travel hub is expected to rival the likes of Heathrow and Dubai thanks to its proposed long-haul flights.
The new airport aims to enable passengers from Central and Eastern European countries to fly almost anywhere in the world – without having to travel to hubs in Western Europe first.
Plans are well underway to build Warsaw Solidarity Airport because Warsaw Chopin Airport (the city’s main airport) is nearing capacity.
While Poland plans to build on its overall passenger growth, the new centre will also help the country’s flag carrier (LOT Polish Airlines) to increase its passenger numbers too.
Inside the best airport in the world
Earlier this year, Hamad International Airport in Doha was named the best airport in the world for 2024 by Skytrax.
The airport nabbed the top spot thanks to features like a huge indoor garden and 65 retail and dining venues.
Known as The Orchard, the huge indoor garden is home to over 300 trees and 25,000 plants from sustainable forests.
Other attractions include a giant yellow teddy bear that was designed by visual artist Urs Fischer, a Wellbeing and Fitness Centre and four airport lounges.
Meanwhile, Pontecagnano (Salerno) Airport is currently undergoing a huge £400million renovation, with a longer runway being built as part of the huge expansion.
EasyJet will become the first-ever UK airline to operate flights between London and Salerno later this year.