Vietnam-funded airport in Laos to be upgraded to international standard
VOV.VN - The Lao Government has agreed upon the proposal put forward to upgrade Nongkhang airport, which will be funded and built by Vietnam in Huaphanh province in northern Laos, into an international airport, the Vientiane Times newspaper reported on January 2.
Sharing the news with the media on the sidelines of the Laotian Government's expanded meeting held at the end of last month, Huaphanh provincial Governor, Khampheng Saysompheng said that the Laotian Government has agreed on the provincial administration's proposal to upgrade Nongkhang airport. He also outlined his belief that expanding the airport to serve international flights will bring great benefits to the locality, by not only creating conditions for foreign tourists, but also for investors who are considering setting up their operations in Huaphanh to allow them to be able to fly directly to the province.
An official from Nongkhang airport said the expansion of the facility is in accordance with the development plan of the Department of Civil Aviation, the Ministry of Public Works, and Transport of Laos.
According to the Vientiane Times, Nongkhang airport was handed over to the Huaphanh provincial administration in May, 2023, after being sponsored and built by a Vietnamese company according to the Build-Operate-Transfer model.
This airport was therefore built according to standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and can welcome 100,000 passengers per year. Currently, Lao Airlines and Lao Skyway are operating flights between Wattay airport in Vientiane and Nongkhang airport, mainly using small ATR72 and MA-60 aircraft with 70 to 100 seats.
The Vientiane Times highlighted the operation of Nongkhang airport as an important milestone in joint co-operation, not only meeting the long-standing expectations of Huaphanh provincial citizens, but also bringing plenty of exciting development opportunities to the area.
The airport is therefore an important trade gateway between both countries and contributes significantly to cross-border trade between both sides.
This facility not only serves the purpose of promoting economic growth and tourism in Huaphanh province, but also symbolises the lasting friendship between the two nations.
