Hanoi (VNA) - The Ministry of Transport (MoT) hasproposed the government allocate the state budget or allow airport operators touse its revenue to repair runways and taxiways in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

In a report sent to the government, the MoT said Noi Bai andTan Son Nhat – the biggest international airports in the country – are under hugepressure due to high transportation demand.

The runway and taxiway systems of these two airports havebeen exploited beyond their designed capacity, resulting in cracks, breakageand subsidence, it said.

The ministry said the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV)has used its budget to repair the downgraded parts to ensure flight safety. 

Early last year, the MoT proposed the government invest inupgrading runways and taxiways at the two airports. Three options had beenchalked out, including using provisions made for medium-term public investmentsin the 2016-2020 period; using the ACV’s development fund; and using revenuecollected from flight operations. 

The ministry suggested that ten percent of the provision ofmedium-term public investment, which was equivalent to 4.2 trillion VND (180million USD), should be used to upgrade runways and taxiways at the twoairports.

In 2020, the ACV expects to serve 127 million passengers at21 airports under its management.  

Of these, international visitors are expected to exceed 46million and domestic visitors 81 million.

The ACV said it will focus on investing in terminal T2 inVinh and Cat Bi airports and Terminal T3 at the Tan Son Nhat InternationalAirport, as well as expanding the domestic terminal at the latter.

It will invest in expanding the aprons at Da Nang, Cam Ranh,Cat Bi, Phu Bai and Noi Bai airports./.