Authorities of the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho on June 13 held a meeting with the Vietnam Airlines Corporation to discuss the implementation of an aviation logistics hub project in the city.

At the meeting (Photo: VNA)

At the event, Deputy General Director of Vietnam Airlines Trinh Hong Quang said the corporation had opened three logistics centres at Noi Bai, Tan Son Nhat and Da Nang international airports, but it is difficult to expand these centres due to the lack of land.

Meanwhile, the airport in Can Tho city has favourable conditions for such a centre, he said, explaining that the city is an economic hub of the Mekong Delta and located in a route linking Ho Chi Minh City and south-western localities. 

According to Quang, an aviation logistics hub in the city will contribute to logistics development in the region, reduce overloading in the Tan Son Nhat and Long Thanh airports and bolster economy and trade.

The logistic centre is envisioned to be built next to Can Tho International Airport at a cost of 82.9 million USD to meet the increasing demand of goods transportation by international and domestic airlines.

Along with the construction of the logistics centre, Quang said the corporation will open new routes from Can Tho city to other destinations in the country and abroad.

Director of the Can Tho Department of Industry and Trade Nguyen Minh Toai said the aviation logistics hub is hoped to facilitate the transport of farm produce, aquatic products and seafood of the city and the Mekong Delta. 

At present, about 70-80 percent of export goods in the Mekong Delta are transported to Ho Chi Minh City or southeastern provinces for export.

Speaking at the meeting, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Truong Quang Hoai said Can Tho is ready to create favourable conditions for Vietnam Airlines to build the planned logistics hub.