The construction of new Bokeo International Airport with capability of accommodating 200-seat aircraft such as Airbus A320, Boeing 737 and ATR-72 is expected to take a few months to complete.
The under construction airport is located in Tongpheung, the political and economic hub of Bokeo Province.
When the old Huayxay Airport will open is uncertain as there are many limitations including safety concerns. Even if it is expanded, the most sizeable plane it can accommodate would be those with 160 seats and it is impossible to expand its runway due to landscape constraints.
Aero Laos, an aviation facebook page, predicts that once the new airport is completed, Bokeo will become one of Laos’ popular air travel destinations.
Source: Lao News Agency