Attending the event, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc underlined the importance of Cat Bi as the airport would make it convenient for residents in Hai Phong and nearby provinces to travel by air to both domestic and international destinations.
He expected airlines to consider opening new routes from and to Hai Phong to utilise the airport.
The upgrade of Cat Bi, which cost an estimated VND3.66 trillion (US$164.7 million), includes a new runway, a terminal that can accommodate 2 million passengers a year, a parking area as well as other supporting facilities.
Cat Bi Airport is currently serving 36 flights a day. Last year, the airport welcomed nearly 1.3 million passengers, up 35.6% from the previous year.
Cat Bi was designated as an international airport following a decision by the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam announced on May 10. Previously, the airport only served domestic flights.
