National aviation organization suggests integrating Gia Bình Airport into the national air transportation system to alleviate congestion at Nội Bài Airport
**Impact of Gia Binh International Airport on Noi Bai's Capacity**
The addition of Gia Binh International Airport to Vietnam's national airport network is set to significantly affect the operational capacity of Noi Bai International Airport, primarily due to shared airspace constraints.
**Capacity Adjustments**
By 2030, Gia Binh is planned to handle 30 million passengers annually, while Noi Bai is projected to serve 35 million passengers per year [1][2][3]. By 2050, these figures are expected to rise: Gia Binh’s capacity will increase to 50 million passengers, and Noi Bai’s to 60 million passengers per year [1][2][3].
The close proximity of the two airports—Gia Binh is only 43 kilometers from Noi Bai’s approach control zone—means they must share limited airspace [1][2]. To accommodate Gia Binh’s entry into the network, Noi Bai’s capacity will be lower than would otherwise be possible if it were the sole airport for the region. In essence, the total capacity for the Hanoi metropolitan area will be split between the two airports [1][2].
**Rationale and System Optimization**
The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has explicitly stated that, due to airspace limitations, increasing Gia Binh’s capacity requires a proportional reduction in Noi Bai’s capacity [1][2]. This strategy aims to relieve congestion at Noi Bai, which has faced persistent overcapacity issues as Hanoi’s primary air gateway [1][2].
The adjustment is part of broader efforts to optimize the national airport network, with increased land allocation for Gia Binh and a corresponding update to the overall system plan [1].
**Summary Table: Noi Bai vs. Gia Binh Passenger Capacity**
| Airport | Capacity (2030) | Capacity (2050) | |--------------|----------------|-----------------| | Noi Bai | 35 million | 60 million | | Gia Binh | 30 million | 50 million |
**Key Takeaways**
- **Noi Bai’s capacity will not decrease in absolute terms, but its growth will be intentionally moderated** to allow Gia Binh to share the regional load [1][2][3]. - **The combined capacity for the Hanoi region will increase**, but neither airport will grow to its maximum theoretical potential due to airspace constraints [1][2]. - **This dual-airport strategy is designed to ease pressure on Noi Bai and enhance the overall efficiency of Vietnam’s aviation infrastructure** [1][2].
It's important to note that the earlier stated growth projections for Noi Bai Airport are not affected by the revised projections for Gia Binh Airport. The estimated cost of developing airport infrastructure nationwide is VNĐ443 trillion (US$17 billion), but this figure will need to be revised if Gia Binh is included. The designed capacity of Gia Binh Airport in 2025 is five million passengers per year.
The impact of the addition of Gia Binh International Airport could extend beyond just airspace constraints, with potential implications for the financing of airport infrastructure, as the cost of developing national airport infrastructure is projected to increase due to the development of Gia Binh Airport.
Moreover, advancements in AI and the growing AI industry could contribute to managing the shared airspace more efficiently, thereby optimizing the transportation of passengers and easing the congestion at both Noi Bai and Gia Binh International Airports, which could lead to increased finance revenues for the industry in the long run.