Lao People's Democratic Republic
Lao People's Democratic Republic - 2.2.1 Wattay International Airport
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Airport Overview  

Wattay International Airport, known locally as Wattay Airport, is the main airport in Laos. It provides connections to regional centres as well as international destinations across the Asia Pacific region. Located approximately 3 km outside of the country’s capital city of Vientiane, it is easily linked to the national route 13 that passes two international airports in Laos; Luang Prabang Airport in the north and Pakse Airport in the south. 

Under the supervision of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT), the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) with the head office on the airport property is responsible for policy and planning in civil aviation and for regulatory oversight of technical and safety matters pertaining to aviation. 

The airport is operated by the Airport of Laos (AOL) that provides airport operation and serves as a hub for Lao Airlines and Lao Skyway. AOL operates four international airports and eight domestic airports. The airport has two terminals, which include a new domestic passenger terminal and a new international passenger terminal.  

The airport has various ground transportation options available. Both public and private bus transfer services are available. Car rental service counters are available at international arrival hall. Airport taxi services are also available outside the arrival hall. A car park is located in front of the terminals and offers both covered and uncovered parking spaces. 

 

Airport Location and Contact 

Country 

Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR or Laos) 

Province or District 

Vientiane Capital 

Nearest Town or City  
with Distance from Airport 

Vientiane Capital, 3 KM  

 

Airport’s Complete Name 

Wattay International Airport 

Latitude 

17.988322  

Longitude 

102.563256 

Elevation (ft and m) 

564 feet 
(172 meters) 

IATA Code 

VTE 

ICAO Code 

VLVT 

Managing Company or Airport Authority 

Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) 

Management Contact Person 

+856 21 513   

Open From (hours) 

24/7 23: 00 

Open To (hours) 

24/7 11:00 

Airport Picture 

image-20240129101631-1

Source: Final Report on the Project for Technical Support on Continuous Improvement of Vientiane International Airport in the Lao PDR (2022) by Japan International Agency (JICA) and Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT) Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT). 

The terminal area of the airport is located in the southwest part of the airport. A Lao Airline hangar and office are located at the eastern side of the terminal area. The domestic passenger building is located next to the Lao Airline office, and the international passenger terminal is at the western side of the domestic building. A cargo terminal is located on the western side of the VIP building. There is an area for air traffic control facilities such as a control tower, Lao Air Navigation Service (LANS) office, and power supply substation. A fire station and a small aircraft hangar are located at the western end of the terminal area. Amenities at the terminals include duty-free shops, a post office, banks, ATMs, restaurants, information desks, an internet café, bars and currency exchange counters. 

Description and Contacts of Key Companies 

Lao-Japan Airport Terminal Service (L-JATS) is a key ground handling service provider at the airport. In partnership with AOL as a public-private partnership, L-JATS manages and operates the International Passenger Terminal and provides passenger services, ramp services, and security services by a concession agreement with the Ministry of Public Works and Transport.  

For more information on airport contacts, please see the following link: 4.5 Airport Companies Contact List. 

Information on some aviation service providers can be found at: http://www.azfreight.com/  

 

Passenger and Cargo Performance Indicator 

To accommodate a recorded growth in air passenger traffic, the airport went through an expansion project for passenger terminal that completed in 2018. In 2019, the airport accommodated 1.76 million international passengers and 578,000 domestic passengers. From 2023, the airport expects to and can accommodate as many as 2.3 million passengers a year. 

Performance for 2023 

 

Per Year 

Per Month 

Per Day 

Total Aircraft Movements 

28,433 

2,370 

79 

Total Passengers 

2,336,621 

194,719 

6,490 

Total Capacity of the Airport (MT) 

2,000 

167 

Current Activity of the Airport (MT) 

6,000 

500 

17 

Current use by Humanitarian Flights (UNHAS) 

N/A 

N/A 

None 

Air cargo capacity remains small. A handling of both international and domestic cargo including international airmail recorded in 2019 was at 2,000 kg. Air cargo forecast for 2025 is 6,000 kg. 

 

Runways 

The airport has a single 3,000 meter long asphalt-paved runway with 45 m in width. It is capable for the taking and landing off large jets such as Boeing 747-400. The approach and departure routes used the priority runway strategy to prevent flying onto the east side of the runway, which was especially important for Thailand and the Vientiane urban area. According to the controller's knowledge, the landing and takeoff ratio of RW31 is 90% to 95%. 

Runway #1 

Runway Dimensions 

3,000 m x 45 m 

Orientation 

13/31 

Surface 

Asphalt on concrete pavement 

 

Helicopter Pad(s) 

There are 20 aprons in the airport. The apron number 20 which located in the Eastern side and opposite to Air Airline hangar is allocated for Helipad. 

Helipad #1 

Present 

Yes  

Largest Helicopter that can Land 

No restrictions 

Width and Length (m) 

dimensions are not available 

Surface 

Asphalt-paved 

 

Airport Infrastructure Details 

Customs 

Yes  

JET A-1 fuel 

Yes  

Immigration 

Yes 

AVGAS 100 

Yes 

Terminal Building 

Yes 

Single Point Refueling 

No 

Passenger Terminal 

Yes 

Air Starter Units 

No 

Cargo terminal 

Yes 

Ground Power (mobile) 

Yes 

Pax Transport to Airfield 

Yes 

Ground Handling Services 

Yes 

Control Tower 

Yes 

Latrine Servicing 

Yes 

Weather Facilities 

Yes 

Fire Fighting Category (ICAO) 

Yes 

Catering Services 

Yes 

De-icing Equipment 

No 

Base Operating Room 

Yes 

Parking Ramp Lighting 

Yes 

Airport Radar 

Yes 

Approach & Runway Lights 

Yes 

NDB 

Yes 

VOR 

Yes 

ILS 

Yes 

 

 

Airport Operating Details 

Operating Details 

Maximum Sized Aircraft that can be Offloaded on Bulk Cargo 

Boeing 747-400  

Maximum Sized Aircraft that can be Offloaded on Pallet 

Boeing 747-400   

Total Aircraft Parking Area (m²) 

1,780    

Storage Area (m3 and MT) 

4,306 m2 

Handling Equipment 

Elevators / Hi Loaders  

Yes  

Max Capacity (MT) 

Max Height 

(m) 

N/A 

Loading Ramps 

Yes    

Other Comments 

 

 

Customs Guidance 

Passenger on arrival: 

A traveller or passenger arriving at one of Lao's international airports or border crossing should bring into Laos any personal belongings that do not exceed the amounts permitted. These amounts are listed below: 

  • All types of alcohol: Not exceeding 2 litres 

  • All types of beer: Not exceeding 5 litres 

  • All types of wine: Not exceeding 3 litres 

  • All types of cigarettes: Not exceeding 1 carton (200 cigarettes) 

  • All types of cigars: Not exceeding 50 cigars 

  • Tobacco leaves: Not exceeding 250 grams 

  • Perfume or fragrant oils: Not exceeding one item of each 

  • Precious objects: as specified by Bank of Lao 

  • Foreign currency: as specified by Bank of Lao 

A traveller or passenger is bound by all regulations and requirements concerning the import of foreign or Lao currency, precious objects, archaeological and cultural objects and any other restricted or prohibited goods. 

Exemptions from Customs Duties: 

Certain categories of goods are exempt from Customs duties.  The imported goods/cargo is handled within three days. Below is a brief list of these exemptions.  

  • Humanitarian assistance 

  • Goods and vehicles for diplomatic missions 

  • Goods and vehicles by approved international organizations or international non-governmental organizations 

  • Certain kinds of items when changing residence (moving house) 

  • Civil servants completing their mission, students graduated from abroad and foreigners wishing to have permanent residence that import items in addition to vehicles are exempted from Customs duties for the following items: 
    - certain items and in certain quantities that are not of a commercial nature 
    - household items 
    - goods received from inheritance. 

  • Gifts of a delegation from overseas on official visits 

  • Grant aid from foreign countries, borrowing or debt payment of the government 

  • Goods used for religious purposes (e.g. religious ceremonies, construction of religious sites) that  have  certified documents from a Buddhist organization or the Lao Front for Construction or the Ministry of Information and Culture 

  • Goods, weapons and special vehicles to be used for national defense and public security 

  • Samples and items for scientific research that are not of a commercial nature 

  • Under the Law on Investment Promotion the importation of certain categories of goods is subject to exemption or reduction of Customs duties and other obligations. 

  • Goods brought into and out of special economic zones and specific economic zones 

  • Goods sold to outgoing travellers in duty free shops duly authorized by the Ministry of Finance 

For more information on customs in LAOS, please see the following link: 1.3 Customs Information.   

 

Storage Facilities   

The airport has a combined storage capacity of 4,306 m2. There are three cargo terminals in the airport. One is dedicated to international cargo and is operated by Lao’s courier company, Hung Huang Logistics Co., Ltd (HHL). The other two terminals are operated by domestic airlines, Lao Airlines and Lao Skyway. 

The International Cargo Terminal Building, which consists of Terminals 1 and 2, and functions as one terminal, is located to the west of the international passenger building (IPTB). The buildings are operated by HHL, who contracts the operation of Terminal 1 with L-JATS and the operation of Terminal 2 with AOL, respectively.  

 

Terminal 1 has the storage area and a two-story cargo agent office. The storage area has floor space of 1,650 m2 and is divided by a metal fence into two areas for import and export cargos. The x-ray room is located in the center of the building, and the x-ray machine is used for scanning the export goods. The weighing scale for export goods can measure up to one ton. The import section has racks for storing goods. The imported cargo is handled within three days. Terminal 2 has 1,600 m2 total floor area and is used mainly for export cargo storage. There are cool room and dangerous goods storage in the building. 

Lao Airlines and Lao Skyway operate their own cargo terminals. Lao Airlines handles international and domestic cargo. The cargo building’s floor area is approximately 840 m2 and there is one x-ray inspection machine. The Lao Skyway cargo terminal handles only domestic cargo. The one-story building is 216 m2 and has one x-ray inspection machine. 

 

Airfield Costs   

NAVIGATION CHARGES 

Charges 

Aircraft Weight - MTOW (kg) 

 

0 - 7,000 

7,001 - 136,000 

136,001 and over 

Navigation (per journey) USD - $ 

USD 160 to USD 250, depending upon the route used. 

 

 

Landing USD - $ 

USD 3 per ton up to 20 tons to USD 370 plus USD 5 per ton for weight above 100 tons 

 

 

Night Landing USD - $ 

Day hours charges plus 10% of day hour charges    

 

 

Night Take-Off USD - $ 

Day hours charges plus 10% of day hour charges    

 

 

Parking 

10 % of the landing fee for each 24-hour period after the first hour. 

 

 

Handling Charges 

Communications charges of USD 160 for a piston driven aircraft, USD 240 for turboprop, and USD 320 for Jet 

engine. 

 

 

 

FUEL SERVICES CHARGES 

The fuel is transported from Thailand by a special tanker. The fuel facility is operated by Lao State Fuel Company (LSFC), a 100% state-owned company. The fuel is transported by a tanker to the apron. There are three tanks, two of the tanks have a capacity of 600,000 liters and one tank has a capacity of 750,000 liters. Total capacity of the fuel tank is 1,950,000 liters.  

The fuel market is regulated by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC) that takes decisions on fuel prices based on the fluctuation of world oil price. LSFC is delegated by MOIC to adjust (increase or decrease) oil price in form of writing and disseminate it to all oil companied throughout the country. 

The fuel price is updated weekly; please visit the website of Lao State fuel company https://laostatefuel.com/en/jet-fuel.html 

 

Price per Litre USD - $ 

Jet A-1 

As per mentioned above 

Avgas 

As per mentioned above 

 

CARGO TERMINAL CHARGES 

Information not available 

 

AIR-BRIDGE CHARGES 

Information not available 

 

Security 

Laos is generally a peaceful country. Although there is no threat from international terrorism, airport security is strong. There is a police presence and the airport authorities have also engaged a private security company. The airport enforces and maintains strict international security checking standards. 

 

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