Da Nang International Airport in central Vietnam is planned to reach 4E standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization, with a capacity of 20 million passengers annually. Photo: Truong Trung / Tuoi Tre
The Ministry of Construction and the city’s administration on Thursday unveiled the airport’s development plan for 2021-30, with a vision to 2050.
The airport is designated as an international hub within Vietnam’s civil aviation network, serving both civilian and military purposes.
By 2030, Da Nang Airport is expected to reach 4E standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization, handling up to 20 million passengers and 100,000 metric tons of cargo annually.
Da Nang International Airport in central Vietnam will be equipped with runway intrusion warning systems and bird dispersal devices. Photo: Truong Trung / Tuoi Tre
By 2050, passenger capacity will remain at 20 million, while cargo capacity will rise to 330,000 metric tons per year.
The airport will retain its two runways but add one rapid-exit taxiway and two connecting taxiways to improve efficiency.
Aircraft parking areas will expand southward, increasing to about 52 stands.
A new air traffic control tower will also be built on the northern side of the airport with an area of approximately 4,000 square meters.
Additional technical systems are planned, including a VOR/DME navigation station north of the runway, a CAT II approach lighting system for runway end 35L and an automatic weather observation system when required.
Authorities also plan to introduce advanced safety technologies such as an autonomous runway incursion warning system, multilateration surveillance, airport surface monitoring systems and equipment designed to detect and deter birds.
An artist’s impression shows the expanded Da Nang International Airport with Terminal T1 designed for 14 million passengers per year, Terminal T2 for six million passengers and a multi-story parking facility. Photo: Truong Trung / Tuoi Tre
The new safety measures come after several recent incidents involving unauthorized drones near the airport.
During the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday from February 17 to February 22, 2026, flight crews reported three cases of unauthorized drones entering restricted airspace near runways.
These incidents forced 54 aircraft to circle or adjust their approach paths, causing delays and raising safety concerns.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, multiple unmanned aerial vehicle intrusions were reported within 3-12 nautical miles of the airport's runways between September 2025 and February 2026, posing collision risks.
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