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Wattay International Airport

Vientiane, Laos

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VLVT

ICAO

564 ft

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Laos's primary international gateway serving the capital Vientiane.

Opened

1950s

Location

Vientiane, Laos

Wattay International Airport is the principal airport of Laos, located in Vientiane, the nation's capital. It serves as the main hub for both domestic and international air travel within the country, connecting Laos to regional destinations across Southeast Asia and beyond. The airport underwent significant expansion and modernization in the 2000s and 2010s, including the opening of a new international terminal in 2009 to accommodate growing passenger traffic. Despite its status as the country's busiest airport, it remains a relatively small facility compared to major regional hubs. Wattay handles the majority of international arrivals into Laos, serving tourists, business travelers, and diplomatic personnel. It is operated by Airports of Laos and plays a central role in the country's tourism and economic development strategies.

Terminals

The airport has two terminals — a domestic terminal and a larger international terminal opened in 2009 — handling separate streams of passenger traffic.

Getting to & from

Ground transport into central Vientiane includes taxis, tuk-tuks, and bus services, with the city center located approximately 4 kilometers from the airport.

Airlines here

Major airlines operating at Wattay include Lao Airlines, Bangkok Airways, Vietnam Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, Thai AirAsia, and AirAsia.

Notable facts

›Wattay is the busiest airport in Laos by passenger volume.
›The international terminal opened in 2009 as part of a major expansion project.
›Lao Airlines, the national carrier, uses Wattay as its primary hub.
›The airport is located approximately 4 km northwest of downtown Vientiane.
›Wattay has served military and civilian purposes since at least the 1950s, including during the Vietnam War era.

Official website Wikipedia

This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.

Route map (17 destinations)

Leaflet © OpenStreetMap © CARTO

Airlines serving this airport

AirAsia

FlyNordic

Sierra National Airlines

Jin Air

China Eastern Airlines

Bangkok Airways

Lao Airlines

Thai Airways International

Vietnam Airlines

Routes

VTE → KULAK · 320

VTE → LPQLF · 737

VTE → BKKLF · 737

VTE → ICNLJ · 738

VTE → NNGMU · 737

VTE → KMGMU · 737

VTE → BKKPG · 319

VTE → BKKQV · 320 AT7

VTE → LPQQV · AT7 320

VTE → PNHQV · 321

VTE → SINQV · 320

VTE → CANQV · 320

VTE → HOEQV · AT7

VTE → ICNQV · 320

VTE → PKZQV · AT7 320

VTE → XKHQV · AT7

VTE → LXGQV · AT7

VTE → HANQV · 320

VTE → KMGQV · 320

VTE → ODYQV · AT7

VTE → ZVKQV · AT7

VTE → BKKTG · 734

VTE → HANVN · 321

VTE → PNHVN · 321

VTE → VIIVN · AT7

Aircraft operating here

Airbus A3209 routes Aerospatiale/Alenia ATR 729 routes Boeing 7374 routes Airbus A3213 routes Boeing 737-8001 routes Airbus A3191 routes Boeing 737-4001 routes

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Passport, Visa & Immigration

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Encyclopaedia

Wattay International Airport is an international airport in Laos, the country's main international gateway, serving the capital Vientiane, located 3 km (1.9 mi) outside of the city centre in Sikhottabong district, Vientiane Prefecture. The airport is operated by the Lao Airport Authority (LAA) and serves as a hub for Lao Skyway, Lanexang Airways International, and Lao Airlines. The Lao Air Force also operates an installation at one end of the airport.

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