Restoring and expanding air connectivity to Da Lat through Lien Khuong International Airport (DLI)
Following a comprehensive infrastructure upgrade, Lien Khuong International Airport (DLI) is expected to resume operations on 19 August 2026, marking an important milestone in restoring and expanding air connectivity to Da Lat and Vietnam’s Central Highlands.
As the operator and manager of 21 airports nationwide, Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) is working closely with local authorities and airlines to rapidly restore the airport’s route network, meeting growing travel demand while supporting tourism recovery and the socio-economic development of Lam Dong Province.
Once the airport is expected to reopen, key domestic routes linking Da Lat with Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, Hai Phong and Vinh will be reinstated. The airport is expected to handle 36-40 flights per day, serving approximately 6,800 passengers daily.
On the international network, AirAsia is expected to resume the Da Lat–Kuala Lumpur route from September 2026 with four weekly flights. At the same time, ACV is working with airlines and industry partners to restore services to South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand, while studying the launch of new routes to Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan, further strengthening Lien Khuong International Airport’s international connectivity.
To encourage airlines to launch new international services, ACV continues to implement a range of attractive incentive programmes. These include 20%–50% discounts on landing and take-off charges for newly launched international routes during their initial operation period, as well as exemptions or reductions in passenger service charges and ground handling fees during the first three to six months, depending on flight frequency. Preferential rates are also available for check-in counters, baggage handling systems and aircraft parking stands for qualifying routes. In addition, ACV works with its member airports to facilitate favourable slot allocation, provide ground operation support and coordinate joint marketing campaigns to promote new air services. These initiatives help create favourable conditions for airlines to expand their networks while enhancing the competitiveness of Vietnam’s airport system.
Beyond serving as the principal aviation gateway to the Central Highlands, Lien Khuong International Airport is also recognised for its distinctive passenger terminal, inspired by the wild sunflower-an iconic symbol of Da Lat. Following more than five months of upgrades, the airport has significantly enhanced its operational capacity and is capable of accommodating wide-body aircraft such as the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787, laying the foundation for attracting additional international routes in the future.
The airport’s expected reopening also comes at an ideal time as Da Lat prepares for its year-end tourism season, highlighted by a series of major cultural and tourism events, including the 11th Da Lat Flower Festival. The reopening is expected to stimulate both domestic and international visitor growth while reinforcing Lien Khuong International Airport’s role as the aviation gateway connecting Vietnam’s Central Highlands with key domestic and international markets.
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