Wattay International Airport is one of the few international airports in Laos and the country's main international gateway, serving the capital Vientiane, located 3 km outside of the city centre in Sikhottabong district, Vientiane Prefecture. The airport is operated by the Lao Airport Authority (LAA) and serves as a hub for Lao Skyway, Lao Central Airlines and Lao Airlines. The Lao Air Force also operates an installation at one end of the airport. The head offices of the Department of Civil Aviation and Lao Air are on the airport property. The 45 metre wide and 3000 metre long single runway is capable of handling aircraft as large as the Boeing 747-400.

History

Wattay International Airport began operations in 1999. Using grant money from the Japanese government, the airport renovated its international terminal in 2005. The cargo terminal was built in 2011 by the Lao-Japan Airport Terminal Building Service with ₭9.6 billion of funding from the Bank of Japan. In July 2011, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport initiated a new expansion project in association with China CAMC Engineering Company. The project saw the elongation of the single asphalt runway by 260 meters to 3,000 metres; development of parking lots; renovation of its road and drainage system; expansion of two aprons to accommodate larger aircraft; and the construction of new offices for the LAA and Lao Civil Aviation Department. Japan provided ¥1.9 billion in funding to the project through the Japan International Cooperation Agency, making up two-thirds of the total cost of ₭302 billion. The project began in December 2011 and was completed in November 2012. In February 2012, $3 million was provided by the Bouathip Lao Company to expand the domestic terminal. In December 2015, the airport launched another expansion project, completed in August 2018. The project saw the expansion of the international terminal, the construction of a new domestic terminal, and the improvement of several facilities. The project was again funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency, contributing a ¥9 billion loan.

New airport

A new airport will be built in Xaythany district to replace the overcrowded Wattay International Airport.

Airlines and destinations

Facilities

The airport has a bonded warehouse building for air cargo passing through the airport. The facility is operated by Lao-Japan Airport Terminal Building Service Co. Ltd.

Ground transportation

The airport can be accessed by shuttle bus, taxi, car, tuk-tuk and on foot. The shuttle bus stop is located outside the international terminal.