Inthanousone Sisanon explained that the terminal had a capacity of around 400 passengers per hour which was adequate provided that other flights kept to their timetables and there were no delays. The CAA says the expansion will increase the annual passenger throughput capability to three million.
Yakua Lopangkao, the department’s director, said recently that judging by statistics for passenger numbers at Wattay the extra capacity would enable it to remain uncongested through to 2028. The CAA says it hopes to start the LAK 800 billion expansion by next year and it will take two years to complete.
Mr Lopangkao said a Japanese construction company would be building the terminal and Japan was granting a loan with a low interest rate for the project. The director finished off by saying this extension would be the last at Wattay as it would use all remaining land space.
The Lao government has already stated it plans to build a new airport to serve Vientiane and has even earmarked a site. The site is close to Highway 13, but is 35kms from the centre and the landmark Anousavary Monument.
Laos to expand Vientiane Airport
News in Asia
The Lao Civil Aviation Department (CAA) has announced a plan to expand the country’s principal international airport in Vientiane. The deputy director of the department told reporters this week that if two large aircraft arrived at Wattay International Airport close together the current international terminal could not cope.