Construction of new Luang Prabang airport kicks off

VIENTIANE, MACH 15 (KPL) - The Luang Prabang Airport construction project has run for almost two months which designed to support the landing of big planes in the future.
The preparation for Luang Prabang Airport construction has been conducted for a long time.
The new airport will able to support the Boeing 737 and Airbus 320, and the other planes can also land in case of the Wattay International Airport in Vientiane had a problem, said Vice Governor of Luang Prabang province, Mr. Khampheng Saysompheng.
The construction of the new Luang Prabang Airport project costs US$84 million, which will run for three years. The construction work includes runway with 2.2 km long and 45 metre wide, passenger building and the installation of other facilities.
Mr. Khampheng continued that the airport has being served for passengers as normal. When the new construction building has finished, the old building of Luang Prabang airport would be transferred to the Lao People’s Army to manage and control.
Mr. Khampheng also said that around 500 households living nearby the construction area have been relocated to the new resettlement.
The foundation stone-laying ceremony of Luang Prabang Airport is expected to be held in May this year.
Head of the Civil Aviation Department, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Mr. Yakua Lopangkao said that the new Luang Prabang Airport construction project is very important because Luang Prabang province is a trade service centre for northern part.
Last year, 240,712 tourists visited Luang Prabang, however it decreased by 0.8 per cent when compared to 2008. But this year the Tourism Service of Luang Prabang province expected to welcome 320,000 visitors.
The decrement of tourists was caused by the global financial crisis.