DA NANG, VIETNAM - Da Nang International Airport will be able to receive up to four million passengers and 80,000 tonnes of luggage a year by 2015. And by 2025, it will be able to handle six million passengers a year.

At present, the airport can only handle about one million passengers yearly, but significant growth in tourism and business in the central region have led to plans for an upgrade.

A scheme announced last week states that it will still serve both military and civil operations until 2025. However, military use has been declining steadily in recent years.

The upgrade will follow standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

By 2015, the airport will be able to receive the largest aircraft, including Boeing 747s and 777s and Airbuses in 21 landing positions. It will be capable of receiving 2000 visitors in a rush hour.

By 2025, landing positions will be increased to 27 and the airport will be able to process up to 3,000 passengers an hour.

The total investment for the upgrade and expansion will be nearly VND5 trillion (US$312.5 million).

Investment from now to 2015 will be VND2.7 trillion ($168.7 million) and to 2025, VND1.8 trillion ($118.7 million).