CHIANG RAI – Laos has officially opened the Bokeo International Airport in Bokeo Province, a new hub designed to support regional travel and tourism.
The airport can handle mid-size aircraft such as the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737, helping connect the Golden Triangle area with routes linked to Thailand, China (including Hong Kong), and Vietnam.
Local media reported that the Lao Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith presided over the formal opening of Bokeo International Airport on March 6, 2026.
Construction began in 2020 under the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone project in Ton Pheung District, Bokeo Province, directly across the Mekong River from Chiang Saen.
Several officials and representatives attended the ceremony, including Somsavat Lengsavad (former deputy prime minister), Leklai Sivilay (minister of public works and transport), and local party and provincial leaders. Organizers also presented the airport’s official international certification and held a ceremonial gong striking for good fortune.
Leklai Sivilay said civil aviation plays an important role in Laos’ economic and social growth, especially for trade and tourism. He added that air connectivity supports the country’s 2026 to 2030 national development plan, which targets average annual growth in air transport of about 0.8%.
Laos Airport location and aircraft capacity
According to airport director Thienthong Sophar, the airport sits in Yai Si Mueang Ngam village, Ton Pheung District. It is about 5 kilometers from the center of the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone.
The airport is classified as a Code 4C medium-sized airport. As a result, it can accommodate aircraft such as the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737.
The airport includes three taxiways named Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie. It also has an aircraft apron of about 130 x 220 meters with four parking stands.
That setup allows the airport to park:
- Two A320 or B737 aircraft at the same time
- Two smaller aircraft, such as the ATR-72 or MA-60
On the ground-handling side, the airport prepared key support vehicles, including passenger stairs, fueling and waste service vehicles, baggage belt loaders, aircraft towing tractors, and Follow Me guidance vehicles. In addition, the airport is preparing to support the C-909 aircraft model in the future.
The airport has one passenger terminal, with separate areas for domestic and international flights.
Key terminal features include:
- 8 check-in counters for domestic airlines
- 10 check-in counters for international airlines
- 4 boarding gates
- 2 passenger boarding bridges (jet bridges)
- A VIP lounge
For peak-hour operations, the terminal can handle about:
- 250 domestic passengers
- 384 international passengers
Security and access control
Security systems include:
- 10 X-ray baggage screening machines
- 9 walk-through metal detectors
- 30 handheld metal detectors
- 2 explosive detection systems
The airport also uses electronic access cards for controlled areas and 24-hour CCTV monitoring.
Expected routes and regional connections
Officials see the airport as a new link between major destinations inside Laos and key cities across the region.
Potential domestic connections include Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Houaphanh, Xieng Khouang, Champasak, and Savannakhet. For international travel, the airport may connect to Bangkok and Chiang Mai (Thailand), Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), and Kunming, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong (China).
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