The proposal comes as the airport nears capacity. Lien Khuong currently has a single passenger terminal designed for 2.5 million passengers a year and a cargo facility capable of handling 6,750 tonnes annually.
Passenger traffic reached nearly 3 million in 2022, exceeding the terminal's design capacity. Although it fell to nearly 2 million in 2025, the airport handled 4,655 tonnes of cargo, underscoring the need for expansion.
Provincial authorities expect demand for passenger and cargo services to rise sharply once runway, taxiway and apron upgrades are completed by the end of August 2026, boosting the airport's operational capacity.
The province said early investment in the Terminal 2 and expanded cargo facilities would maximise the benefits of the airfield upgrade while supporting economic growth, tourism and logistics in Lam Dong Province and the Central Highlands.
ACV expects to complete the runway and taxiway upgrade before 19 August. The upgraded airfield will be able to accommodate Airbus A320, A321 and equivalent aircraft.
Under Lam Dong Province's 2021-2030 master plan, with a vision to 2050, and Vietnam's national airport development plan, Lien Khuong is to be upgraded to a Category 4E airport serving as the Central Highlands' aviation gateway.
By 2030, the airport is expected to handle 5 million passengers and 20,000 tonnes of cargo a year. The existing Terminal 1 will retain its 2.5-million-passenger capacity, while a new Terminal 2 will accommodate 3 million passengers, with a cargo terminal and expanded apron.