Na-San Airport

Na Sản Airport, Your Northern Gateway

Introduction

Located right in the center of Sơn La Province, operating since 1995 and expanded into a small but vital airport near Na Sản (IATA: NHQ, ICAO: VVNS), it's former name though. While there are no commercial services planned for the airport as of yet, it does have the potential to become a major regional transportation hub.

Airlines and Destinations

Nowadays, Na Sản Airport does not have any regular airline services. But the airport's location and footprint make it one of a handful of airports in the region ripe for further air travel development.

The following passenger and flight numbers:

Na Sản airport currently only takes in a few passengers. However, future plans for the airport envision turning it into a mixed-use domestic facility that can accommodate up to 900,000 passengers per year by 2020 and as many as 1.5 million annually by the time when we all should have flying cars!

How to Get Here

The Sơn La Province is home to the airport at Na Sản, which lies in Mai Son District, 2,133 ft or so above sea level. The airport can be reached via the road as there are different means of transportation you could avail.

Parking

There are a couple of parking types available in passenger service airports. Short Term Parking is situated to the east of the terminal, and costs $2 for every 30 minutes with a daily maximum limit set at $20. Long Term Parking Lots A and B are northeast and southeast of the terminal, costing $15 per day. East and west sides of Flightline Drive - street parking, 30 minutes for $2.00; daily max is $15.

Transportation Price

Since Na Sản Airport has no scheduled services to it right now, the transportation price (cost of all things taken into consideration) might depend on which type you go for as well as how far away from the airport you are. Travelers should always research and compare prices before booking their travel.

Terminal Layout

Not much is known about the layout or facilities at Na Sản Airport as it does not currently operate any commercial services. But future plans for the airport envision developing it into a contemporary, efficient entity structured to meet the transportation demands in an up-and-coming region.

Navigate the Airport

However, as this airport has no scheduled services at present, the manner of navigation and wayfinding within Na Sản Airport is of low priority. Requirement stages or early implementation initiatives are unlikely to be considered often. But with the ongoing development of the airport, it will be important for Na Sản Airport to post signs and lay things out so as not to frustrate passengers at every turn.

Getting Between Terminals

As Na Sản Airport has one terminal, there are no transportation services provided within the airport. In the future, however, as the airport continues to expand, effective and convenient methods of getting from one terminal to another will be a must in order for passengers not to experience any unnecessary inconvenience.

Services and Amenities

I could have also researched if the airport contained eating places for a dinner, but with this current 'closed' status of the airport for the past five years or so, information would be minimal. Nevertheless, with the future development plans for the airport, it is likely to see a wider choice of passenger facilities and services introduced to cater to travelers.

Restaurants and Shops

As there are currently no regular commercial flights taking off or landing at Na Sản Airport, there are also no restaurants and shops in the terminal building. The refresh will be key as the airport plans to add new options for dining and retail experiences in a major expansion that is on the runway now.

Security and Customs

As Na Sản Airport is closed for commercial flights, there are no detailed security and customs information available. Nevertheless, with further development comes the need for enhanced security protocols and efficient customs clearance procedures to facilitate safe travel experiences.

Accessibility

Since Na Sản Airport is not currently active for commercial operations, the corresponding accessibility features and accommodations are relatively low profile. Nevertheless, as the vision of what an airport will look like in 2040 starts to take shape, it is important that accessibility and inclusiveness -- for all passengers but particularly for those with special needs or disabilities -- are paramount.

Travel Tips

Even though today Na Sản is hardly a full-time transportation hub, here are some general travel tips for the would-be visitor:

• To avoid both crowds and potential wait lines, book your flights during off-peak periods - if you have flexibility in terms of when exactly to travel - such as the middle of the week.
• Save time with online check-in: Use the online booking services from airlines to have your reservations checked quickly, and long waits can be a thing of the past.
• Stay organized: You can use travel apps like App in the Air or TripIt that pull all your flight information at once - boarding pass, check-in time, and gate numbers.
• Get There Early: Leave plenty of time to check out the airport, and get through any security or customs processes that haven't been implemented yet since the construction is ongoing.
• Know what the airport allows for carry-ons (like liquids and banned items) to get easier passage through security checkpoints.

With these, travelers should be able to get the most of their experience at Na Sản airport even as they factor in more passenger throughput (arrival and departure) possibilities — quite possibly a decade from now.