Over 5.1 trillion VND (242 million USD) will be injected into buildingQuang Ninh International Airport in Van Don Island District,north-eastern Quang Ninh Province, according to official plans.

The airport, to span 285ha in Doan Ket Commune, will have runways3,000m x 45m in size to allow the operation of long-range and wide-bodyBoeing 777s. Accordingly, construction will be carried out in twophases, with the first stage undertaken between now and 2020.

By 2020, the airport will have at least four aprons and be able tohandle 2 million passengers and 10,000 tonnes of goods per annum.

By 2030, it will be expanded to have seven aprons, with the capacity tohandle 5 million passengers and 30,000 tonnes per year.

A separate 336,000sq.m-apron for military airlines will be built upon demand.

The first phase will cost 3.5 trillion VND (160 million USD), nearly two-thirds of the total investment.

The Prime Minister has approved to undertake the project under a BOT (build-operate-transfer) model.

Local leaders expect the airport will help spur socio-economic growthin the province - a key economic hub in the northern region and home toWorld Heritage Ha Long Bay as well as many other landscapes.

The Government ratified the airport master plan in January 2009, andsaid it forms part of shaping up the Van Don Economic Zone.-VNA