HCMC - Vietnam's Ministry of Construction has approved a long-term expansion plan for Buon Ma Thuot Airport, including a second runway and a new terminal, to raise annual passenger capacity to 7 million by 2050.

Under the plan, the airport in the Central Highlands will remain a Category 4C airport serving both civilian and military operations, while significantly expanding its infrastructure to meet growing air travel demand in the region. By 2030, the airport is expected to handle 3 million passengers and 10,000 tons of cargo annually. The existing 3,000-meter runway will remain in operation, while a parallel taxiway will be added and the apron expanded to accommodate about 10 aircraft stands. The current Terminal 1 will also be enlarged to support the planned passenger capacity. The long-term development plan envisions annual throughput rising to 7 million passengers and 15,000 tons of cargo by 2050. To support the increase, a second runway measuring 2,400 metres in length and 45 metres in width will be built north of the existing runway. This will mark the first time Buon Ma Thuot Airport has been designed with two runways. Aircraft parking capacity will also be expanded to 27 stands by 2050, up from around five currently and 10 planned for 2030. The airport's existing Terminal 1 will continue operating alongside a new Terminal 2, which is planned to handle about 4 million passengers a year. The master plan also includes the development of a cargo terminal with an annual handling capacity of 15,000 tons, aircraft maintenance facilities, a general aviation area, fuel supply infrastructure, inflight catering services and commercial facilities. Buon Ma Thuot Airport currently operates one passenger terminal and an apron capable of accommodating around five Airbus A320, A321 or equivalent aircraft. The terminal, which entered service in 2012, was designed to handle around one million passengers annually.