List of Airports in Laos
As of 2024, there are 24 airports throughout the country of Laos according to IATA and ICAO. Through the table below, you can find name of each airport, its abbreviation, city location, and size. Airports in Laos are listed in alphabetical order. Please note that some airports serve internationally, while the other only serve domestically.
List of All Airports in Laos
| # | Airport | Abbreviation | Location | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Attopeu Airport | AOU | Attopeu | Small |
| 2 | Ban Houei Airport | OUI | Ban Houei | Small |
| 3 | Bounneua Airport | PCQ | Phongsaly | Small |
| 4 | Houeisay Airport | HOE | Houeisay | Small |
| 5 | Khong Airport | KOG | Khong | Small |
| 6 | Luang Namtha Airport | LXG | Luang Namtha | Small |
| 7 | Luang Prabang Airport | LPQ | Luang Prabang | Medium |
| 8 | Muong Sai Airport | UON | Muong Sai | Small |
| 9 | Oudomxay Airport | ODY | Oudomxay | Small |
| 10 | Paksane Airport | PKS | Paksane | Small |
| 11 | Pakse Airport | PKZ | Pakse | Small |
| 12 | Sam Neua Airport | NEU | Sam Neua | Small |
| 13 | Saravane Airport | VNA | Saravane | Small |
| 14 | Savannakhet Airport | ZVK | Savannakhet | Small |
| 15 | Sayaboury Airport | ZBY | Sayaboury | Small |
| 16 | Seno Airport | SND | Seno | Small |
| 17 | Thakhek Airport | THK | Thakhek | Small |
| 18 | Udomxay Airport | UDO | Udomxay | Small |
| 19 | Vangrieng Airport | VGG | Vangrieng | Small |
| 20 | Viengxay Airport | VNG | Viengxay | Small |
| 21 | Wattay Airport | VTE | Vientiane | Medium |
| 22 | Xayabury Airport | XAY | Xayabury | Small |
| 23 | Xieng Khouang Airport | XKH | Xieng Khouang | Small |
| 24 | Xienglom Airport | XIE | Xienglom | Small |
Major Airports in Laos
1. Wattay International Airport (VTE)
Airport Code: VTE
Time Zone: Laos Standard Time (LST)
Address: Vientiane, Laos
Nearby Cities:
- Vientiane (0 miles)
- Thanaleng (8 miles)
- Pakse (210 miles)
- Savannakhet (320 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- Lao Airlines
- Thai Airways
- Vietnam Airlines
- AirAsia
- China Eastern Airlines
Annual Passenger Traffic: Approximately 500,000 passengers
Airport Location and History
Wattay International Airport is located in the capital city of Vientiane, Laos. The airport began operations in 1968 and has served as the primary international gateway for the country. It has undergone various upgrades over the years to accommodate the growing demand for air travel. The airport plays a central role in the development of Laos’ economy, particularly in terms of tourism and trade. It connects Vientiane to major cities in Southeast Asia and provides access to international markets for businesses.
The airport serves as the hub for Lao Airlines, the national carrier, and also handles flights from other major Asian airlines. It is crucial for regional connectivity, with flights to Thailand, Vietnam, China, and other parts of the region. Wattay International has steadily increased its capacity, handling an expanding number of passengers due to Laos’ growing tourism industry. The airport is poised for future growth as the country develops more infrastructure to meet international travel demand.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Wattay International Airport has one main runway:
- Runway 1: 3,200 meters (10,499 feet), capable of handling large aircraft, including wide-body jets.
The airport’s terminal is equipped with modern amenities such as duty-free shopping, lounges, restaurants, and banking facilities. The runway can accommodate large aircraft, including wide-body jets, facilitating long-haul flights to major international destinations. The terminal also includes services like baggage handling, car rentals, and a variety of passenger services. Wattay International continues to expand its infrastructure to keep pace with passenger growth and to improve the overall experience for travelers.
2. Luang Prabang International Airport (LPQ)
Airport Code: LPQ
Time Zone: Laos Standard Time (LST)
Address: Luang Prabang, Laos
Nearby Cities:
- Luang Prabang (0 miles)
- Pak Ou (20 miles)
- Phonsavan (150 miles)
- Vientiane (190 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- Lao Airlines
- Thai Airways
- Bangkok Airways
- Vietnam Airlines
Annual Passenger Traffic: Approximately 300,000 passengers
Airport Location and History
Luang Prabang International Airport is located in the historic town of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Laos’ major tourist destinations. The airport was opened in 1999 and has been an essential gateway for tourists visiting the town and surrounding regions. Luang Prabang’s importance as a cultural and religious center makes the airport a vital link for international visitors traveling to this iconic city.
The airport has seen steady growth in passenger numbers due to the increasing number of international tourists visiting Luang Prabang. It serves as an entry point for both domestic and regional flights, connecting the town to the capital, Vientiane, and other Southeast Asian destinations. The airport is central to the development of tourism in northern Laos and supports the economy by connecting the region to international markets.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Luang Prabang International Airport has one runway:
- Runway 1: 2,400 meters (7,874 feet), suitable for medium-sized aircraft, including narrow-body jets.
The airport’s terminal is small but modern, offering essential services such as check-in counters, baggage claim, and basic food outlets. The runway is long enough to accommodate medium-sized aircraft, including narrow-body jets, but does not support wide-body jets. The airport has been expanding its facilities to support the growth of tourism and regional air travel, and ongoing infrastructure upgrades are expected to enhance the passenger experience in the coming years.
3. Pakse International Airport (PKZ)
Airport Code: PKZ
Time Zone: Laos Standard Time (LST)
Address: Pakse, Champasak Province, Laos
Nearby Cities:
- Pakse (0 miles)
- Champasak (25 miles)
- Savannakhet (90 miles)
- Vientiane (340 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- Lao Airlines
- Vietnam Airlines
- Thai Airways
Annual Passenger Traffic: Approximately 100,000 passengers
Airport Location and History
Pakse International Airport is located in Pakse, the capital of Champasak Province in southern Laos. The airport opened in the 1960s and primarily served as a domestic hub. It has become increasingly important due to the region’s growing tourism sector, particularly for travelers heading to the nearby Bolaven Plateau, Wat Phu, and the 4,000 Islands area. The airport handles domestic flights as well as a limited number of international connections, primarily to neighboring countries.
The airport has experienced a growth in passenger traffic, especially from the expanding number of tourists visiting southern Laos. Pakse serves as an important gateway for regional flights, especially to and from Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia. With southern Laos’ increasing popularity, the airport continues to upgrade its infrastructure to handle higher passenger numbers and improve services for travelers.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Pakse International Airport has one runway:
- Runway 1: 2,500 meters (8,202 feet), suitable for medium-sized aircraft, including narrow-body jets.
The airport’s terminal offers essential services such as check-in counters, baggage claim, and food outlets. The runway is capable of handling medium-sized aircraft, making it suitable for regional flights, but it does not support wide-body jets. Pakse International Airport is gradually expanding its facilities to meet growing demand, with plans for future upgrades to enhance passenger services and increase capacity.
4. Savannakhet Airport (ZVK)
Airport Code: ZVK
Time Zone: Laos Standard Time (LST)
Address: Savannakhet, Laos
Nearby Cities:
- Savannakhet (0 miles)
- Mukdahan (9 miles, Thailand)
- Vientiane (330 miles)
- Pakse (150 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- Lao Airlines
- Thai Airways (seasonal)
Annual Passenger Traffic: Approximately 20,000 passengers
Airport Location and History
Savannakhet Airport is located in Savannakhet, one of Laos’ largest cities. The airport has historically been a small regional hub but is growing in importance due to Savannakhet’s role as a commercial and industrial center. Opened in the 1990s, Savannakhet Airport primarily serves domestic flights and has recently seen some expansion in response to the growing economic activity in the region.
Savannakhet’s proximity to Thailand, just across the Mekong River, makes the airport an important point for cross-border travel and commerce. It also supports the movement of goods and business people between Laos and Thailand, two important regional economic players.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Savannakhet Airport has one runway:
- Runway 1: 2,200 meters (7,218 feet), suitable for small to medium-sized aircraft, including narrow-body jets.
The airport’s facilities are modest, with check-in counters, baggage handling services, and a few food outlets. The runway can accommodate smaller and medium-sized aircraft, but it is not designed for large, wide-body jets. Savannakhet Airport continues to play an important role in regional travel, facilitating business and trade, particularly between Laos and Thailand. It is expected to undergo further developments as the region’s commercial activities grow.
5. Luang Namtha Airport (LXH)
Airport Code: LXH
Time Zone: Laos Standard Time (LST)
Address: Luang Namtha, Laos
Nearby Cities:
- Luang Namtha (0 miles)
- Oudomxay (120 miles)
- Vientiane (270 miles)
- China (150 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- Lao Airlines
Annual Passenger Traffic: Approximately 10,000 passengers
Airport Location and History
Luang Namtha Airport is located in the northern part of Laos, near the town of Luang Namtha, which is known for its natural beauty and as a starting point for treks into the Nam Ha National Protected Area. The airport was opened in the 1990s and primarily serves domestic flights, mainly from Vientiane. While Luang Namtha is a small town, it attracts tourists due to its ecological diversity and proximity to the China-Laos border.
Luang Namtha Airport is important for connecting the northern regions of Laos with the capital and other parts of the country. It supports the region’s tourism industry, especially eco-tourism and trekking, by providing easier access for international travelers. The airport continues to see growth in passenger numbers, particularly during peak tourist seasons.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Luang Namtha Airport has one runway:
- Runway 1: 1,800 meters (5,906 feet), suitable for small to medium-sized aircraft.
The airport has limited facilities, including a small terminal with basic services such as check-in and baggage claim. The runway is capable of handling small to medium-sized aircraft, but not large jets. Luang Namtha Airport serves primarily domestic flights and remains an essential link for travelers heading to northern Laos, supporting the region’s growing tourism sector. The airport is also part of ongoing plans for infrastructure improvement to accommodate increasing passenger traffic.
