Aviation 

Key airport information may also be found at: http://worldaerodata.com/ 

The Department of Civil Aviation of Lao PDR is the civil aviation authority of Laos. The agency, a division of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT), has its headquarters on the property of the Wattay International Airport in Sikhottabong District, Vientiane Capital. 

The Department of Civil Aviation is responsible for policy and planning in civil aviation and for regulatory oversight of technical and safety matters pertaining to aviation and the Lao Airports Authority (LAA). The department has eight divisions in addition to the Lao Airports Authority, which is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the Wattay international and domestic airport terminals (Vientiane), two regional airports (Luangprabang and Pakse), and two provincial airports (Louang Namtha and Savannakhet). All other provincial small airports are the responsibility of the provincial governments with the department’s technical consultation. 

Laos has 12 airports and 9 smaller airstrips, however not all are operational at the moment. The main airport is Wattay International Airport located in Vientiane Capital. The other minor ones but also important are in Luanprabang, Pakse, Savannakhet, Oudomxay and Luang Namtha. There are limited operations in Saravan, Samnue, and Sayaboury. 

Vientiane is the main international gateway, while Louangphrabang and Pakse accept regional traffic and provide customs, immigration, and quarantine services. Another significant provincial airport is Savannakhet. The two regional airports at Luangprabang and Pakse and the Wattay Airport at Vientiane cover international traffic and associated services. 

Several international airlines such as Air Asia, Bangkok Airways, China Eastern Airlines, Lao Airlines, Thai Airways, Korean Air and Vietnam Airlines provide international services. Direct connections are also available to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hanoi, Kunming, Guangzhou, Seoul, Busan, Singapore and Siem Reap. For domestic flights, Lao Airlines and Lao Skyway are the main carriers, of which, the national one names Lao Airlines, serving flights to LuangPrabang, LuangNamtha, Muang Xay, Pakse, Phonsavan and Savannakhet. and additional flights are made in the rainy season to selected locations 

The state-owned airline, Lao Air, flies 10-seat Cessna aircraft on a regular basis to three remote provinces—Houaphan, Phongsali, and Xayabury. Domestic and international services are provided primarily for tourist traffic.

International and National Airports 

Other Airfields 

For more information on government agency and airport company contact information, please see the following links: 4.1 Government Contact List and 4.5 Airport Companies Contact List.  

Procedures for Foreign Registered Aircraft 

Registration of Aircraft in Lao PDR is governed by The Law on Civil Aviation Lao PDR - Presidential Decree No. 43/PO. The process is handled by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (Department of Civil Aviation) and involves the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.    

Any aircraft that intends to fly within the airspace of the Lao PDR shall be registered and shall have nationality and registration marks in accordance with the laws of the Lao PDR or of the concerned State. 

Aircraft registration in the Lao PDR must be carried out in accordance with the following conditions: 

1. The individual registering the aircraft shall be its owner or another individual who has the right to operate such aircraft. This could be, but is not limited to, the following: 

1. The government of the Lao PDR; 

2. A Lao citizen; 

3. An alien, foreign individual, or apatrid who has a principal place of business or permanent residence in the Lao PDR; 

4. An enterprise, company, or association established in accordance with the laws and regulations of the Lao PDR. 

2. Aircraft registered in the Lao PDR shall not be eligible to be registered in another State; likewise, aircraft registered in another State shall not be eligible for registration in the Lao PDR, unless the former registration is cancelled.  

When a person or organization has duly registered its own civil aircraft in the Lao PDR, the rights in such aircraft shall be recognized in accordance with the relevant international conventions to which the Lao PDR is a party. 

Air traffic services (i.e. the provision of facilitation and control of air traffic, including for overflights over the territory of the Lao PDR) shall be conducted under common regulations throughout the entire country, consistent with regulations of the International Civil Aviation Organisation for ensuring the safe, speedy, and orderly flow of air traffic. 

Flight Clearance and Aircraft Entry Requirements 

All private and non-scheduled commercial aircraft overflying or landing for commercial or non-commercial purposes must request clearance at least 15 days prior to departure. 

All requests must include. Type of aircraft and registration marks; Radio call and frequency; Name and nationality of pilot and crew members; Complete route of flight; Dates, times of entry and exit from the airspace of Laos; Dates and times of arrival and departure, if landing; Flight altitudes; Reason for flight; Number and nationality of passengers and type and amount of cargo; Name and address of aircraft operator and owner; and type and amount of fuel required. 

Request to be submitted to Department of Civil Aviation, Souphanouvong Road P.O. Box 119 Wattay International Airport Vientiane Lao PDR, Tel: +856.2151.3163, AFTN: VLAOYAYX