Cam Ranh International Airport

Cam Ranh International Airport
Name	Cam Ranh International Airport
IATA	CXR
ICAO	VVCR
Owner	Airports Corporation of Vietnam
Operator	Cam Ranh International Terminal Joint Stock Company
City-served	Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province
Location	Cam Ranh, Khanh Hoa Province
Elevation-f	40
Elevation-m	12
Coordinates	11, 59, 53, N...
Website	https://camranhairport.vn/
R1-number	02/20
R1-length-m	3,048
R1-length-f	10,000
R1-surface	Asphalt
Stat-year	2023
Stat1-header	Passengers
Stat1-data	6,500,000
Stat2-header	Aircraft movements
Stat2-data	39,000
Stat3-header	Cargo (tonnes)
Stat3-data	12,000

Contents

History
Facilities
Airlines and destinations
Statistics
Accidents and incidents
See also

Cam Ranh International Airport is a major aviation gateway serving the south-central coastal region of Vietnam, primarily the popular tourist city of Nha Trang and Khanh Hoa Province. Located on the Cam Ranh Peninsula, it is one of the busiest airports in the country by passenger traffic, handling both domestic and international flights. The facility plays a critical role in the regional economy, supporting the thriving tourism industry of the South Central Coast and connecting it to major hubs across Asia and beyond.

History

The airport's origins trace back to its construction and use as an American and Republic of Vietnam Air Force base during the Vietnam War, known then as Cam Ranh Air Base. Following the Fall of Saigon in 1975, the base was utilized by the Soviet Air Force and later the Russian Air Force under a lease agreement, serving as a key strategic outpost during the Cold War. Civilian operations began in 2004 with a modest terminal, but rapid growth led to the construction of a new, modern international terminal which opened in 2009. This development was part of a broader national strategy by the Government of Vietnam and the Ministry of Transport to expand aviation infrastructure, managed under the Airports Corporation of Vietnam.

Facilities

The airport features a single passenger terminal with a designed capacity of 8 million passengers per year, encompassing both domestic and international concourses. Its single runway, 02/20, is 3,048 meters long and can accommodate wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 777 and Airbus A350. Key facilities include 16 aircraft parking stands, modern baggage handling systems, and a variety of passenger amenities including duty-free shops operated by King Power and food and beverage outlets. Cargo operations are supported by dedicated warehouse facilities, and the airport is equipped with Category II Instrument Landing System (ILS) capabilities to aid operations in poor weather conditions.

Airlines and destinations

The airport serves as a focus city for several carriers, including Vietnam Airlines, its subsidiary Pacific Airlines, and Vietjet Air, which offer extensive domestic networks to destinations like Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang. International services connect the region to major cities across East Asia and Southeast Asia, with carriers such as Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, and AirAsia operating regular flights. Seasonal charter flights are also common, linking the resort area directly with cities in Russia, China, and Kazakhstan, reflecting its historical and contemporary tourism markets.

Statistics

Passenger traffic has grown exponentially, surpassing 6.5 million in 2023, making it one of the top five busiest airports in Vietnam. The airport regularly handles approximately 39,000 aircraft movements annually. Cargo throughput has also seen steady increases, with over 12,000 tonnes processed in 2023. The busiest routes are typically domestic services to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, while the top international destinations include Seoul, Shanghai, and various cities in China and Southeast Asia. These figures are monitored and published by the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam.

Accidents and incidents

The airport has maintained a strong safety record in the civilian era. The most notable historical incidents are associated with its prior military function during the Vietnam War, involving aircraft such as the Lockheed C-130 Hercules and Republic F-105 Thunderchief. Since opening for civilian operations, there have been no major accidents involving commercial passenger flights. Safety oversight is conducted by the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam in accordance with standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization.