The upgraded airport can now accommodate Code C aircraft, including the Airbus A320 and A321 and equivalent models. It can also handle Code E aircraft when needed.
Under the airport's development plan, Phu Cat is expected to reach an annual capacity of five million passengers and 12,000 tonnes of cargo by 2030.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung said the second runway marked an important milestone in infrastructure development and would create fresh momentum for Gia Lai's growth. The project is expected to increase flight-handling capacity, promote trade, attract investment, boost tourism and services, strengthen regional connectivity, and support national defence and security.
The arrival of an international charter flight during the inauguration was also a positive signal, helping Gia Lai expand its links with international markets.
Immediately after the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the province welcomed Bamboo Airways' first irregular international charter flight, which carried 166 passengers directly from Macau, China, to the new runway.
