Gia Binh sets out its international connecting hub role

In an interview with Routes at Routes World 2026, Denis Bugrov, Deputy CEO of Masterise Aviation Infrastructure, outlined how Gia Binh International Airport (GBIA) plans to grow from a new gateway into an international connecting hub.

Mr Bugrov said the main passenger terminal is targeted to begin commercial operations in 2029 as part of phase one, with the VIP terminal opening earlier to support APEC 2027.

Network

• Domestic trunk routes to Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and other major cities, with international services to Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia and India.
• Direct links to Europe, North America and Australia over time, with an ambition of 10–14 long-haul routes by the fifth year of commercial operation.
• The 30 largest international markets without direct service from Hanoi generate around 4 million passengers a year, roughly half to and from Europe and half to and from the Americas.

An operating model built for connections

Working with McKinsey and daa International, GBIA is designing a banked schedule with a target minimum connecting time of no more than 60 minutes and a 40-minute narrowbody turnaround, supported by biometric processing, automated baggage handling and a total airport management platform. As Mr Bugrov put it, the hub role will come from the operating model rather than simply from the number of routes.

Working with airlines

GBIA is talking to full-service network carriers, long-haul operators, low-cost carriers and cargo airlines, with support for new services including co-marketing, route launch support and destination marketing with tourism and trade partners.

Read the full article on Aviation Week / Routes.