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Lao People's Democratic Republic - 2.2.6 Luang Prabang International Airport
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Airport Overview 

Luang Prabang International Airport is located 4 kilometers from the center of Luang Prabang province in northern Laos. It serves as the main gateway for visitors to the country’s tourist attraction in the province which is a UNESCO designated World Heritage Site. 

As the country’s second busiest airport, it is an international entry point to the Southeast Asian city and offers regular flights to Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Hanoi and Siem Reap. 

The airport has one terminal, used for both domestic and international flights, so getting to and from flights is an easy process. It provides various services, shopping, restaurant, information, currency exchange, ATM and transportation options. 

 

Airport Location and Contact 

Country 

Laos 

Province or District 

Luangprabang 

Nearest Town or City  
with Distance from Airport 

Luangprabang capital 

Airport’s Complete Name 

Luangprabang International Airport 

Latitude 

19.897222 

Longitude 

102.160833 

Elevation (ft and m) 

963 feet 
293.6 meters 

IATA Code 

LPQ 

ICAO Code 

VLLB 

Managing Company or Airport Authority 

Department of Civil Aviation 

Management Contact Person 

+856 21 513 163   

Open From (hours) 

24/7 8:00 

Open To (hours) 

24/7 21:00 

 

Description and Contacts of Key Companies 

Ground handling service provider is Lao Airlines. The airline handles the loadings and off-loadings of passengers’ belongings from the aircraft to conveyor belt loader by manpower. 

For more information on airport contacts, please see the following link: HQ staff will input a link to section 4.5 Airport Companies Contact List here. 

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

Passenger and Cargo Performance Indicator 

The airport handles annual air passenger traffic of around 1 million. International passengers are around 700,000 and domestic travellers account for around 300,000. To cope with a huge potential for rapid air passenger traffic, the Lao Ministry of Planning and Investment selected Korea Airports Corporation (KAC) to conduct the feasibility study on the expansion of Luang Prabang International Airport in 2021. If selected for the expansion, KAC plans to build a 55,000-square-meter terminal to separate domestic and international passengers and boost efficiency. The planned expansion would allow the airport to accommodate over 4.61 million passengers per year from the current capacity of 1.2 million passengers. The company also plans to remodel and expand the airport's terminals and runways. 

Note: the figures of aircraft movements represent only domestic aircraft movements in the year 2019. 

Performance for 2019 

 

Per Year 

Per Month 

Per Day 

Total Aircraft Movements 

4,238 

353 

12 

Total Passengers 

1,000,000 

83,333 

2,777 

Total Capacity of the Airport (MT) 

N/A 

 

 

Current Activity of the Airport (MT) 

N/A 

 

 

Current use by Humanitarian Flights (UNHAS) 

N/A 

 

 

No information is available on the airport’s cargo capacity. 

 

Runways 

The airport has a single 2,900 meter long asphalt-paved runway with 45 m in width. It is capable for the taking and landing off large jets such as ATR 42/72, Airbus A31X/32X. 

Runway #1 

Runway Dimensions 

2,900 (m) x 45 (m) 

Orientation 

05/23 

Surface 

Asphalt  

 

Runway #2 

Runway Dimensions 

Length (m) X Width (m) 

Orientation 

 

Surface 

 

 

Helicopter Pad(s) 

Helipad #1 

Present 

Yes  

Largest Helicopter that can Land 

No restriction 

Width and Length (m) 

80 m x 300 m (est.) 

Surface 

Asphalt 

 

Airport Infrastructure Details 

The airport is equipped with infrastructure that is required for operation of airports and air navigation services. Installation and maintenance is under the supervision of Department of Civil Aviation. 

Customs 

Yes  

JET A-1 fuel 

Yes  

Immigration 

Yes 

AVGAS 100 

No 

Terminal Building 

Yes 

Single Point Refueling 

Yes 

Passenger Terminal 

Yes 

Air Starter Units 

N/A 

Cargo terminal 

Yes 

Ground Power (mobile) 

N/A 

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 

No 

VOR 

Yes 

ILS 

Yes 

 

 

 

Airport Operating Details 

Operating Details 

Maximum Sized Aircraft that can be Offloaded on Bulk Cargo 

ATR 42/72, Airbus A31X/32X 

Maximum Sized Aircraft that can be Offloaded on Pallet 

ATR 42/72, Airbus A31X/32X 

Total Aircraft Parking Area (m²) 

24,000 m2 (est.) 

Storage Area (m3 and MT) 

N/A 

Handling Equipment 

Elevators / Hi Loaders  

No 

Max Capacity (MT) 

 

Max Height 

(m) 

 

Loading Ramps 

Yes 

Other Comments 

The Lao Airlines, the ground handling service provider, uses manpower for the handling of loadings and off-loadings of passengers’ belongings from the aircraft to conveyor belt loader by hands. 

Customs Guidance 

Customs Department, which is under Ministry of Finance, imposts requirements and regulations for imports and exports. It takes about three days for import and export clearance. 

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 

No information is available on storage facilities 

Airfield Costs 

NAVIGATION CHARGES 

Navigation charges indicated below are for international flights. A part from the figures indicated in the table, other handling charges per flight include USD 0.5 for refuelling, USD 50 for aircraft docking service and USD 100 for electricity. 

Charges 

Aircraft Weight - MTOW (kg) 

 

0 - 7,000 

(0 – 7 mt) 

7,001 - 136,000 

(7.1-150 mt) 

136,001 and over 

(150.1 mt and over) 

Navigation (per journey) USD - $ 

70 

110 (7 mt to 20 mt) 

160 (20 mt to 50 mt) 

230 (50 mt to 100 mt) 

260 (100 mt to 150 mt) 

300 (150 mt to 200 mt) 

350 (200 mt to 250 mt) 

357 (250 mt to 300 mt) 

410 ( above 300 mt) 

Landing USD - $ 

50 

100 (7 mt to 20 mt) 

250 (20 mt to 50 mt) 

300 (50 mt to 100 mt) 

400 (100 mt to 150 mt) 

500 (150 mt to 200 mt) 

600 (200 mt to 250 mt) 

700 (250 mt to 300 mt) 

800 ( above 300 mt) 

Night Landing USD - $ 

N/A 

 

 

Night Take-Off USD - $ 

N/A 

 

 

Parking 

12 (7 mt to 20 mt) 

30 (20 mt to 50 mt) 

60 (50 mt to 100 mt) 

 

120 (100 mt to 200 mt) 

180 (200 mt to 300 mt) 

270 ( above 300 mt) 

Handling Charges 

See above 

 

 

Note: overnight parking charge is multiplied by 2 per night. 

FUEL SERVICES CHARGES 

Fuel prices in Laos are regulated by Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC) that makes decisions on fuel (all types) prices based on fluctuation of world fuel prices. Lao State Fuel Company (LSFC), a 100% state-owned company, is delegated by MOIC to adjust (increase or decrease) the fuel prices. 

Jet A-1 fuel is transported from Thailand by a special tanker that is operated by LSFC. The company does not, however, import Avgas at the time being. LSFC has a jet fuel depot located behind the airport. It serves jet fuel refuel for both domestic and international flights. 

Source : https://jet-a1-fuel.com/price/laos, September 16, 2023. 

 

Price per Litre USD - $ 

Jet A-1 

0.547 

Avgas 

N/A 

 

CARGO TERMINAL CHARGES 

No information is available on the cargo terminal charges.  

AIR-BRIDGE CHARGES 

No information is available for the air bridge charge. 

 

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. 

Laos is recorded in the 46th rank in the 2023 Global Peace Index. It scores 1.770 points in the peace index. In comparison, Iceland is in the 1st rank for most peaceful country with 1.124 points while Afghanistan stands at the last 163th rank receiving 3.448 points.     

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