The improvements at Wattay International Airport are progressing as planned and are set to be completed before the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit to be held in Vientiane in November.
Funded by grant aid from the government of Japan and a low interest loan from the government of China, the improvements will enable the airport to accommodate more Boeing 747, 737 and Airbus 320 aircraft.
Wattay International Airport is being enlarged ahead of the ASEM Summit in November.
Parking space at the airport will be extended to accommodate more than 40 large planes, which will be needed to bring in delegates to the summit.
The Japanese government has provided 1,225 million yen (more than US$16.17 million) for the upgrade. The project is now 5.8 percent complete after work began last month.
The work includes expanding aircraft parking, installing more lighting, buying fire trucks, installing drainage, and buying security equipment and other items.
The project began with ground leveling, which must be done before the onset of the rainy season. The entire operation is scheduled for completion in October.
Other improvements are being financed by a US$37.6 million low interest loan from China. These are now 20 percent complete and should be finished in July. The summit takes place from November 5-6.
The two airport improvement projects form part of the government's policy to transform Laos from a landlocked country to a regional link, by upgrading the airport to international standards.
This will inspire more confidence among tourists coming to Laos and will ensure Laos is better linked with the rest of the region and the world.
The ASEM Summit is the largest event ever to be held in Laos, at which 48 heads of state and government will be present. Topics of discussion will cover areas ranging from politics to economics and culture.
The government believes that holding a successful summit will further raise the reputation and profile of Laos on the international arena and is preparing various facilities to accommodate the event.
These include building 50 villas where visiting heads of state and government will stay, the Lao International Convention Centre, roads, and other infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the European Union is assisting Laos by supporting senior officials to travel to Europe to learn how previous summits have been organised, and for media training.
