Vietnam Airlines (VN, Hanoi Noi Bai International) will suspend operations out of Pleiku from March 15 until October 25 on account of the airport's closure. The carrier currently connects the south Vietnamese town with Hanoi Noi Bai International, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang.

A statement to stakeholders says the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (Cục Hàng không Dân dụng Việt Nam - CAAV) is undertaking a VND945 billion (USD44.4 million) phase expansion programme which will see the airfield's runway, taxiway and other facilities being upgraded to cater to larger aircraft.

The project's second phase, which will require the closure, will see the airfield's runway 09/27 being lengthened from its current 1,817m, to 2,400m while two more aircraft stands will be built capable of handling A320 and A321 aircraft.

The airport is currently only capable of handling small aircraft such as the ATR72.