Wattay International Airport is one of several international airports in Laos and the country’s main international gateway, serving the capital Vientiane, located 3 km outside the city center. A larger domestic terminal was built in 2018 and connected to the international terminal. At one end of the airport is a facility belonging to the Lao Air Force. After the VIP lounge added in 2012, Wattay Airport started to be used in private jet flights to the region.
The airport is in the Sikhodtabong Region in Vientiane. The head offices of the Civil Aviation Department and Lao Air are on the airport grounds. Lao Airlines is revising its flights to Yangon. The largest aircraft flying to Vientiane is the A330. This aircraft is flown by Thai Airways. The largest aircraft to ever visit this airport is the Boeing 747-400 carrying the then South Korean President Park Geun-hye for the 2016 ASEAN summit.
Wattay International Airport has an asphalt runway (3000 × 45 m), a domestic terminal and an international terminal.
Laos Vientiane private jet charter prices
Although Wattay Airport air charter fees depend on variables such as the number of passengers, departure airport, flight time, aircraft position, flight date, the prices for private jet charter from Istanbul → Vientiane are as follows.
| Heavy Jet | 99.750 EUR |
| Long Range Jet | 126.100 EUR |
| VIP Airliner | 164.450 EUR |
These prices are average amounts and you can contact us on our flight reservation screen or by phone for the most accurate price information.
History of Wattay Airport
The international passenger terminal of Wattay International Airport, which became operational in 1999, was first renovated in 2005 using grant aid from the Government of Japan. In July 2011, an airport expansion and improvement project was initiated by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport of Laos in partnership with the China CAMC Engineering Company.
The project included widening the runway by 260 meters, improving the parking area, renovating the drainage system and road improvements. It also included expanding the 02 and 03 aprons at the airport to allow larger aircraft to land. In the same year, new office buildings for the Lao Civil Aviation Department and the LAA were also built.
Groundbreaking for the construction of the expansion project took place in December 2011 and was completed in November 2012. The existing apron was extended towards west by 78.000m², providing capacity for up to ten large aircraft. A VIP lounge was also built as part of the expansion project.
The former domestic terminal was expanded in February 2012 with 3 million USD in financing from the Bouathip Lao Company to ease congestion.
What is the capital city of Vientiane like?
Vientiane, the capital of Laos, is home to about 1 million people. The name of the city is French and derived from “Viangchan” (“sandalwood-walled city”). The city became the economic center under French rule, which began in 1893 and lasted until 1953. Today, the capital is a hub for cafe culture, inexpensive spas, golden temples, and various riverside markets. Much of the city’s historic center has also preserved its colorful colonial architecture.
A common stopover point between Vietnam and Thailand, the city has a busy nightlife and some good day trips beyond the city limits, including the popular Buddha Park with over 200 giant Buddha statues.
Transportation from Wattay Airport to the city center
There are shuttle buses, taxis and minibuses called tuk-tuks to reach the city center from the airport. There is a taxi stand outside the main arrival hall. The shuttle bus stop is located outside the international terminal.
