Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Mr Zhao Wei and other dignitaries tour the new airport in Bokeo province.

International airport opens in Bokeo to support investment, tourism

A grand ceremony took place on Monday to officially open the new international airport in Tonpheung district, Bokeo province, which will strengthen links with other northern provinces, neighbouring countries and the region, to support growing investment and tourism in Laos.
The grand opening was attended by Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone; the Governor of Bokeo province, Dr Buakhong Nammavong; Chairman of the Administration Board of the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone and Chairman of the Dok Ngiew Kham Group, Mr Zhao Wei; provincial governors, officials and other guests.
Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Public Works and Transport Mr Lan Seng-Aphone said Bokeo International Airport was a 100 percent BOT investment by Greater Bay Area Investments and Development Limited.
The airport is graded a Code 4C size facility and has a total investment value of over US$225 million. The company has been granted a concession period of 50 years, which can be extended if approved by the government.
Construction began on September 20, 2022, on an area of 314 hectares and 5,478 square metres, close to the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone. The runway is 2,500 metres long

The new international airport in Tonpheung district, Bokeo province.

and can be extended up to 3,000 metres to accommodate Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft.
The passenger building can accommodate 600 people at one time.
When the concession period comes to an end, the airport and surrounding land will become the property of the government, as stated in a contract concerning the development of the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone, which was amended in 2014.
The new airport is part of local infrastructure development and will provide stronger links with other countries to facilitate investment and tourism, both domestic and foreign, enabling more people to travel within the area.
It is a big step in the development of northern Laos and will open up more opportunities for commerce and overall expansion.
To begin with, the airport will be open for domestic flights only, using ATR 72 or equivalent size aircraft, as stated in the Concession Agreement for the International Airport Project.
Dr Buakhong Nammavong said Bokeo province has devised a robust development strategy, aimed at maintaining political stability, social order and order in general; creating facilities to enable social and economic development; developing transport systems for improved links to other northern provinces and neighbouring countries and regions; developing tourism links with neighbouring countries and the north of Laos; and fostering clean and sustainable agriculture to meet the needs of domestic consumers and for export.
The province also aims to contribute to the generation of electricity for supply within Laos and for export; train up its workforce; and promote development of the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone as a driving force in the province’s economic growth.
The new airport is a major step forward in strengthening the province’s links with cities in Laos and neighbouring countries and will bolster investment and tourism.
The airport was built quickly and its facilities comply with international standards.
Mr Zhao Wei said the airport was a large-scale project involving significant investment, aimed at improving the province’s transport links so that it becomes an essential and integral part of domestic and international travel.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update February 6, 2024)