The History of Phù Cát Airport
Initially named Gò Quánh Airport, Phù Cát Airport was constructed in 1966 for military purposes. During wartime, it was utilized by the Republic of Vietnam Air Force as a strategic airbase. After peace was restored, the Ministry of Defense assumed direct management of the airport, transforming it into a fighter pilot training center. It wasn't until September 1984 that Phù Cát Airport commenced civilian flight operations, catering to the public's travel needs, serving both civilian and military purposes.
Under the investment project by Vietnam Airlines Corporation, Phù Cát Airport underwent renovation and expansion in January 2015, including the construction of a spacious passenger terminal meeting international standards.
Discover Information About Phù Cát International Airport – Source: Internet
By the end of 2019, Vietnam Airports Corporation proposed a plan to upgrade Phù Cát Airport with the goal of becoming an international airport by early 2020. As planned, in January 2020, Phù Cát Airport officially became Phù Cát International Airport. Terminal T1 was upgraded to serve international passengers while Terminal T2 remained unchanged for domestic flights. Bamboo Airways operated the first international flight on January 4, 2020, departing from Cheongju International Airport and landing at Phù Cát International Airport.
With remarkable economic development and tourism potential, Quy Nhơn – Bình Định has become a popular destination for many travelers. Consequently, all four domestic airlines – Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, Pacific Airlines, and Bamboo Airways – operate flights to Phù Cát Airport. On average, the airport handles about 8 flights per day, and in the future, especially during holidays, demand is expected to increase further with more international airlines operating routes here.
Details About Phù Cát Airport
- English Name: Phu Cat Airport (PCA)
- Address: Cat Tan Commune, Phu Cat District, Binh Dinh Province
- Telephone: (0256) 3537500
- Fax: (0256) 3537500
- Transaction Office: 01 Nguyen Tat Thanh, Quy Nhon City, Binh Dinh Province
- Telephone: (0256) 3822953,
- Fax: (0256) 3823627;
- E-mail: [email protected]
- AFTN: VVPCZPZX
- Airport Code: UIH
Full View Image of Phu Cat Airport – Quy Nhon – Source: Internet
Runway: Phu Cat Airport currently operates only one active runway labeled as 33/15 with dimensions of 3,048m x 45m.
Taxiways: The airport has a total of 5 taxiways with different designs labeled E1 to E4, in the South-North direction, sharing the same design with the main runway. The main taxiway, E5, is designed in the east direction parallel to the main runway.
Aircraft Parking: As of the current moment, after two upgrades, the aircraft parking at Phu Cat Airport measures 220.5m x 117m, capable of accommodating 4 different positions for medium-sized aircraft such as A320/321 or equivalent-sized aircraft.
Information about the Passenger Terminal at Phu Cat Airport
The passenger terminal was constructed on December 13, 2017, and started operations in May 2018, replacing the old terminal to provide services for arriving and departing passengers, as well as commercial activities at Phu Cat International Airport. During peak hours, the terminal can serve approximately 600 passengers.
Currently, the terminal features 1.5 stories, with a total area of 8,397m2 including the ground floor and mezzanine level, boasting luxurious and modern amenities to meet the increasing demands of passengers. Specifically, it includes:
Level 1: Level 1 has a total area of 4,972m2 including areas such as the main hall, airline ticket counters, processing area, cargo sorting area, baggage conveyor area, security check area, commercial and dining areas, and VIP customer lounge.
The passenger terminal is designed with 1.5 stories featuring modern architecture and convenient amenities – Source: Internet
Level 2: Level 2 has a total area of 3,425m2 used as waiting rooms for departing passengers, business class lounges, and non-aviation service areas. The outdoor space has a total area of 5,456m2. Passenger service equipment includes baggage conveyor belts, check-in counters, boarding pass printers, computer systems, boarding card readers, and flight information screens. Additionally, there are security systems, terminal technical systems, and external technical buildings (M&E) to ensure aviation security.
Where is Phu Cat Airport located?
Phu Cat Airport is precisely located in Cat Tan Commune, Phu Cat District, Binh Dinh Province, approximately 35km northwest of downtown Quy Nhon. It serves as a vital air transportation hub and holds strategic significance in terms of economic and national security.
Where is Phu Cat Airport located? How to get there? – Source: Internet
- The western and northern belts border Cat Tan Commune, Phu Cat District, Binh Dinh Province.
- To the south, it is adjacent to Provincial Road 636, the road leading to the airport, located in 02 wards: Nhon My and Nhon Thanh, An Nhon Town, intersecting with National Highway 1A at Go Gang intersection, about 3km from the airport gate;
- To the east, it borders the North-South railway line, approximately 20km from the coastal strategic road and bird flight path.
How to travel from Phu Cat Airport to downtown Quy Nhon?
From the airport to travel to downtown Quy Nhon, there are various transportation options suitable for passengers' needs such as:
Taxi
Taxi is a popular choice among many tourists due to its attentive service, high flexibility, quick and efficient travel, easy access to taxi services right at the airport without long waits, suitable for solo travelers or ideally for 2-4 passengers with multiple luggage items.
At Quy Nhon Airport, there are many taxi companies with fares ranging from 300,000 to 400,000 VND for the journey to downtown, depending on the destination. For 2-3 passengers, the fare is quite reasonable for a comfortable and swift trip.
- Suntaxi Binh Dinh Contact Number: (056).368.6868
- Taxi Mai Linh Binh Dinh Contact Number: 056.3838.3838
- Chí Thành Trading and Services Company Limited Contact Number: (056).3827888
- Dân Taxi Company Limited Contact Number: (056).3818881
- Hoang Anh Taxi-Hoang Ngoc Transport Company Limited Contact Number: (056).3525525
- Quy Nhon Taxi-Hiep Thanh Trading Company Limited Contact Number: (056).3815815
Bus
If you want to save costs, you can choose to travel by bus from Phu Cat Airport to downtown with a travel time of about 50 minutes and a fare of approximately 50,000 VND per trip (prices may vary). Although this is public transportation, you don't need to worry as the service is continuously improving and is rated quite good.
How to travel from the airport to downtown Quy Nhon by what means? – Source: Internet
If it's your first time taking the bus here, you can also seek assistance from attendants and security to know the fixed schedule of the bus, helping you arrange your time more flexibly. To catch the bus, right at the airport exit, turn right and you'll see the bus waiting area.
Shuttle Service
For group travelers, shuttle service is the optimal choice. You can rent a shuttle just for airport transfers or combine both shuttle and transportation throughout the trip to tourist attractions. You can notify in advance the landing time at the airport to be picked up on time and efficiently.
In addition, many young backpackers prefer renting motorbikes to explore the beautiful scenery in Quy Nhon city. Currently, there are many daily motorbike rental services with immediate delivery at the airport for a fee or free of charge.
You can also contact in advance to reserve a car and schedule a delivery appointment for a comfortable sightseeing trip to the city center. However, you should also consider if the luggage is too bulky, it might be difficult to move by motorbike, especially for those who are not familiar with the route or reading maps.
Notable Tourist Attractions in Quy Nhon
When visiting Quy Nhon, you will truly be amazed by the beautiful, pristine, and refreshing nature along with friendly locals and mouthwatering dishes. From the airport, the nearest and most popular tourist destination is Hon Kho Island, just over 4km away. This is where you can feel the unusual tranquility, participate in coral diving activities, conquer the rocky mountain range on the island, and many other exciting experiences.
Hon Kho is a famous tourist destination in Quy Nhon – Source: Internet
Ky Co and Eo Gio are also 2 extremely attractive tourist destinations in Quy Nhon, about 39km from Phu Cat Airport. This is where the beauty is incredibly impressive, a harmonious combination of cliffs, caves, vast sea, and deep blue sky. After conquering Ky Co beach by exhilarating canoeing, enjoying delicious fresh seafood, immersing yourself in cool clear water, strolling in the stone-paved path in the evening, feeling the cool breeze, admiring the masterpiece of nature likened to a miniature Jeju, capturing unforgettable moments.
Ky Co – Eo Gio where you can admire the magnificent beauty of nature – Source: Internet
Hopefully through this article, you have learned more interesting and detailed information about Phu Cat Airport – Quy Nhon, along with the most convenient transportation methods to the city center, to easily arrange the most suitable itinerary for your upcoming trip to explore the wonderful beauty that nature generously bestowed upon the land of martial arts Binh Dinh.