Aviation sector urged to upgrade airport infrastructure amid fast growth

Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh (standing) addresses a conference to review performance of the aviation sector in 2019 and deployment of tasks in 2020 at the Government Office in Ha Noi on January 10, 2020. Photo: VGP

Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh released the order at a conference in Ha Noi on Friday.

Binh also urged the aviation sector to invest in infrastructure development in order to maintain absolute safety and security for the sector’s airports.

The ministries of transport, public security, and national defense were assigned to conduct evaluation of aviation security and safety risks and directed their agencies to intensify information exchanges to improve aviation security and safety and promptly deal with possible urgent situations.

The Deputy PM also asked the ministry of national defense to coordinate with relevant ministries and agencies to step up building of legal documents to effectively prevent unmanned and ultra-light aerial vehicles, and mull over criminal prosecution for violations.

Viet Nam’s aviation sector witnessed ‘fast and stable growth’ this year, highlighted Deputy Minister of Transport Le Anh Tuan.

The number of aircraft registered as Vietnamese nationality increased to 218, up 38 planes from the previous year while total helicopters rose to 31, Tuan said.

The country houses 22 airports, including nine international terminals and there are 10 licensed airlines, 12 maintenance and seven training organizations, Tuan added.

Total flights reached 458,000, up 11.9% compared to the same period of 2018 and cargo volume picked up 2.8% to 1.4 million tons./.

By Quang Minh