Luang Prabang airport extension to start next year
Groundbreaking for con-struction of the new Luang Prabang Airport is scheduled to start next year, said a senior provincial official yesterday.
The cost of construction w ill be financed by a special credit loan from the Chinese government of US$86.4 million (736 billion kip), according to provincial Deputy Governor Khampheng Saysompheng.
An agreement on the loan was one of the eight economic cooperative documents signed between the two governments during a working visit by Lao leaders to China led by President and Party Secretary General, Mr Choummaly Sayasone, from September 6-13.
Construction of the new airport and its related facilities are scheduled to be complete and open to the public in 2013.
The Water Resources and Environment Administration under the Prime Minister's Office is conducting an economic study on the project including an environmental impact assessment.
Mr Khampheng said the administration is now completing the collection of related information in the province.
A new 3,000 metre runway will be built on the site of the existing airport. Services will continue as usual during construction.
Once complete, the upgraded facility will be able to accommodate larger aircraft with the exception of the Airbus A380.
“Planes carrying up to 400 passengers will be able to land at the new airport. Four Boeing aircraft and seven ATR planes will be able to park at the same time,” Mr Khampheng told Vientiane Times.
The airport, 3km outside the city centre, will be better able to handle the growing tourism industry and investment in the World Heritage Site of Luang Prabang and the northern provinces , he said.
“We hope the new airport will be an important transit point for the northern provinces , linking with other countries in the region.”
“Overseas tourists and businesspeople who want to visit or conduct business in the northern provinces will have the option of flying here directly.”
Luang Prabang province has direct flights to several major cities in the region, such as Vietnam 's capital Hanoi , Thailand 's Bangkok , Udon Thani and Chiang Mai, and Cambodia 's Siem Reap.
Mr Khampheng believes the new airport will allow for direct flights from more cities to the province, especially once the global economy has recovered.
Most visitors to the province come by air, with up to about 70 percent of tourists arriving by plane.
Additionally, in the event Vientiane 's Wattay International Airport experiences difficulties, planes can land in Luang Prabang instead, Mr Khampheng said.
i don't want to criticize my country, but i dont understand when are we going to finance by ourselves. This project I will give a credit to Chinese ( Peng you ) again. thanks and Happy birthday
OMGahhhhhhhh! Chinese invasion! Alien invasion!!!!!!!!!!!!
Alien or not it doesn't matter as long as we have better runway and airport. You seem never come to Lao so that's why you don't know about the Laos status.
i don't want to criticize my country, but i dont understand when are we going to finance by ourselves. This project I will give a credit to Chinese ( Peng you ) again. thanks and Happy birthday
in this case i agree with your comment.... when we can finance for our own?....
over reliance on foreign financial support may consequently reduce our attitude of working hard, cos it come easy...
i don't want to criticize my country, but i dont understand when are we going to finance by ourselves. This project I will give a credit to Chinese ( Peng you ) again. thanks and Happy birthday
in this case i agree with your comment.... when we can finance for our own?....
over reliance on foreign financial support may consequently reduce our attitude of working hard, cos it come easy...
if you read the article about laos is ready for 25th seagame, Mr somsvat lengsavat speech. when I saw the list of all construction FOR seagames, 90 % has been supported by other country, I feel not so proud of we are goin to hold seagame.
i don't want to criticize my country, but i dont understand when are we going to finance by ourselves. This project I will give a credit to Chinese ( Peng you ) again. thanks and Happy birthday
in this case i agree with your comment.... when we can finance for our own?....
over reliance on foreign financial support may consequently reduce our attitude of working hard, cos it come easy...
if you read the article about laos is ready for 25th seagame, Mr somsvat lengsavat speech. when I saw the list of all construction FOR seagames, 90 % has been supported by other country, I feel not so proud of we are goin to hold seagame.
even if the construction are externally supported you still have a chance to be proud of Laos, if people involved will do well in hosting, showing best hospitality to guests and foreign athletes, maintain a fair game, and come up with a very good performance during the opening and closing ceremonies. I think these are aspects where Lao should invest into.
