Lam Dong Promotes Expansion of Domestic and International Air Routes

During a working session chaired by Ho Van Muoi, Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Secretary of the Lam Dong Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, provincial leaders met with representatives of the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), Lien Khuong International Airport and several airlines to discuss plans for restoring and expanding the province's air network.

The meeting brought together representatives from provincial departments, the Lam Dong Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion Center, the Lam Dong Tourism Association, as well as Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, Sun PhuQuoc Airways, Vietravel Airlines and AirAsia.

Lien Khuong International Airport is scheduled to resume operations on August 19, 2026, restoring one of the province's most important transportation gateways. The objective is not only to restart air services but also to maximize the airport's infrastructure to attract visitors, stimulate consumption, trade and logistics, and expand markets for Lam Dong's products.

Before its temporary closure on March 4, 2026, for runway and related infrastructure upgrades, Lien Khuong International Airport handled an average of 36 flights per day, serving nearly 5,900 arriving and departing passengers daily.

According to the plan, airlines will resume flights to and from Lien Khuong International Airport from August 19, operating an average of 36 - 40 flights per day and serving approximately 6,800 passengers daily. Passenger traffic during the final four months of 2026 is projected to reach around 816,000.

Representatives of ACV, Lien Khuong International Airport, and participating airlines discussed flight schedules, frequencies, aircraft types, operating time slots, seat capacity, and the possibility of increasing flights during weekends, public holidays, the 11th Da Lat Flower Festival, and the peak tourism season.

The participants agreed to prioritize maintaining stable trunk routes connecting Lam Dong with Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang, while continuing the Kuala Lumpur international service.

Regarding new markets, participants agreed that reopening or launching routes should be based on careful assessments of market demand, passenger sources, travel agency partnerships, sales strategies, and operational viability to ensure long-term sustainability beyond the inaugural phase.

To generate demand for air services, the province plans to develop integrated tourism packages such as "airfare - accommodation - airport transfer" and "airfare - hotel - tour", along with weekend getaway packages featuring golf, wellness tourism, flower-season experiences, and the Da Lat Flower Festival.

Each package will clearly specify its price, validity period, quantity, usage conditions, sales channels, and distribution partners.

Lam Dong's 2026 tourism stimulus campaign under the slogan "Lam Dong - Come to Love" has attracted 92 participating businesses. Participants are offering hotel discounts ranging from 10% to 35%, bundled accommodation and dining packages, complimentary services, surcharge exemptions, and room upgrades.

Vietnam Airlines has also introduced fare discounts of 10%–20% on domestic routes to and from Lam Dong, valid through December 31, 2026.

From the airport's reopening until the 11th Da Lat Flower Festival, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism plans to organize 33 programs, events, and promotional activities to attract visitors.

In addition to passenger transport, Lam Dong aims to develop the airport under a three-in-one model that simultaneously promotes tourism growth, export expansion, and investment attraction through enhanced business connectivity.

Beyond existing markets, the provincial Department of Industry and Trade proposed exploring new air links with Thailand, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), thereby providing greater access to major export markets, regional logistics hubs, and the Middle Eastern market.

Lam Dong is also working with Vietnam Airlines to promote locally grown dragon fruit and cantaloupe on domestic and international flights. Four companies have already registered to supply 1,500 kilograms of products in two shipments scheduled for August 21 and August 26.

For cargo transport, the province is studying the development of air cargo services at Lien Khuong Airport in conjunction with the Duc Trong Logistics Center, an inland container depot (ICD), and integrated cold storage, sorting, packaging, and quarantine facilities.

Concluding the meeting, Chairman Ho Van Muoi commended ACV and its contractors for completing construction work 10 days ahead of schedule.

He described the achievement as a highly positive signal, demonstrating the strong commitment of all stakeholders to reopening the airport at the earliest opportunity and creating fresh momentum for the socio-economic development of both Lam Dong Province and the country.

The Chairman instructed all relevant agencies to mobilize maximum resources to ensure the airport is ready to resume operations on August 19. He also called for landscaping improvements to create a modern, attractive gateway that reflects the identity of the City of Flowers from the moment visitors arrive.

He further requested agencies to cooperate with flower companies such as DaLat Hasfarm to decorate the airport with Da Lat's signature flowers and promote the province's floral brand. He also called for a comprehensive clean-up, the replacement of directional signage, and stronger promotion of Lam Dong's image along National Highway 20 and throughout the airport.

The Chairman highly appreciated the recommendations put forward by airline representatives, describing them as practical initiatives that would not only improve business efficiency but also contribute to Lam Dong's development through a win-win partnership.

Chairman Ho Van Muoi assigned provincial departments, local authorities, and relevant agencies to urgently complete transportation links, passenger services, tourism facilities, cargo preparation, and communication activities. ACV, Lien Khuong International Airport, and the airlines were requested to provide their official operational plans promptly and appoint focal points to coordinate with the province in developing concrete promotional programs and tourism products before the airport reopens.

Expressing a spirit of openness and cooperation, the Chairman also hoped ACV and the airlines would facilitate Lam Dong's participation in domestic and international tourism promotion events.

According to the Chairman, "No one can introduce Lam Dong better than the people of Lam Dong themselves." Such opportunities would enable the province to directly showcase its strengths, unique products, and development potential while exploring new markets to expand cooperation, attract investment, and promote tourism.

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Our immediate objective is to ensure that Lien Khuong International Airport resumes operations safely, smoothly, and on schedule, while rapidly restoring and stabilizing existing air routes. In the long term, the province aims to expand its route network based on market demand, operational efficiency, and close cooperation among the provincial government, airport authorities, airlines, and businesses.

Ho Van Muoi, Chairman of the Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee