The grand entrance to Bokeo International Airport. --Photo Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone

Bokeo int’l airport set for full
operation by end of 2023

Bokeo International Airport, located in Tonpheung district, is slated to start offering international flights at the end of this year when the con-struction process is fully complete.
Construction was initially scheduled for completion in 2022 but work was delayed because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The airport is currently operating flights between Vientiane and Bokeo, with return flights available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
The construction cost of US$175 million is being financed by the Hong Kong-based Greater Bay Area Investment and Development (HK) Lim-ited, which is a member of the Dok Ngiew Kham Group.
The remaining work to be done at the airport consists of interior decora-tion and the installation of essential facilities, according to the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone.
Construction began in September 2020, since when a runway, taxiway and a parking lot have been built and the passenger terminal and other facilities are now almost complete.
The new airport is being built to handle an anticipated surge in the num-ber of tourists to the area, especially people visiting the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone, which contains several recreational facilities and mainly attracts visitors from China. 
The airport is located close to the Special Economic Zone and covers 300 hectares. It is the second airport in Bokeo province in addition to the existing small airport located in the provincial capital, Huayxai district, which can handle only small aircraft.
The new international airport is designed to accommodate much larger aircraft including the Boeing 747 and Airbus 320.
The passenger terminal can handle up to 600 people and when fully operational is expected to accommodate 1.5 to 2 million passengers a year.
The airport will be operated under the Build-Operate-Transfer model and the developer has been granted a 50-year concession.
Laos’ main airports are Wattay Airport International in Vientiane and smaller airports in Luang Prabang, Oudomxay, Savannakhet, Huaphan and Champassak provinces.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update November 7, 2023)