Korea Airports Corporation (KAC) intends to sign a partnership with the government of Laos to expand and develop the Luang Prabang International Airport.
KAC operates 14 airports in Korea and it shared the results of a third study feasibility on the expansion of the airport with Mr. Thongvanh Sisouphakone, the director of Luang Prabang International Airport, Mr. Bounkhong Soksavath, a senior official from the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, and other relevant authorities present at the event.
The Lao government and airport authorities are currently on the lookout for a private partner in a USD 150 million investment to expand and manage Luang Prabang airport for the next 50 years.
At the event, KAC offered renovation and expansion plans that would allow the airport to accommodate over 4.61 million passengers from the current capacity of 1.2 million passengers.
“Luang Prabang airport has seen a vacancy in airport management and maintenance due to a decline in travel demand following the Covid-19 pandemic. We wish to see the airport’s development with the help of KAC’s management,” said Mr. Thongvanh.
With its 42-year experience in airport management, KAC suggested remodeling and expanding the airport’s terminals and runways. It also put forth plans of building commercial facilities like food courts and car rental counters. If selected, the company also plans to construct a 55,000-square-meter terminal to separate domestic and international passengers and increase efficiency in passenger transit.
Hong Jum-peo, KAC’s director of the global business office, said that the company seeks to propose a development plan that is balanced in terms of preserving the region’s natural resources while also boosting the tourism industry, and economy, and forming a partnership with the Lao authorities.
In 2021, the Ministry of Planning and Investment selected Korea Airports Corporation to conduct the feasibility study on the expansion of Luang Prabang International Airport.
