Handing-Over Ceremony of Aircraft Parking Apron and VIP Building in Wattay International Airport of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic

November 4, 2012

On November 4, the handing-over ceremony of the aircraft parking apron constructed with the “Project for Expansion of Vientiane International Airport” up to 1,935 million JPY, Japan’s grant aid, was held at Wattay International Airport in Vientiane, the capital city of Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Mr. Yoshihiko Noda, Prime Minister of Japan, and H.E. Mr. Thongsing Thammavong, Prime Minister of Lao People’s Democratic Republic, attended the ceremony and cut the ribbon.”

The “Project for Expansion of Vientiane International Airport” aims at improving the safety and security systems of the Wattay International Airport, which is a gateway to Laos, and preparing a system to correspond to the future demand for civil aviation at the airport. Under this project, an existing aircraft parking apron has been expanded by approximately 78,000m2 westward and equipment was installed for security checks to meet the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The project of constructing the apron was carried out as part of Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA). Construction work has been completed in time for the airport to be used by the leaders of countries participating in the Ninth Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM 9), in response to the strong request from the Government of Laos.

Thanks to this project, it is expected that the airport can accept large aircraft and respond to an increased number of travelers in the future, which will further contribute to economic development of Laos.

On this occasion, the handing over of a VIP building, which was constructed using “collateral funds” accumulated through the past grant aids provided by Japan, was also carried out, in addition to the above-mentioned project.

Japan has given support for development and enhancement of functions of the airport in various ways, such as development of a passenger terminal and an airport traffic control tower, introduction of a photovoltaic power generation system, and technical cooperation regarding airport service. Furthermore, a Japanese enterprise is involved in the operation of the terminal. Thus, the airport symbolizes the close relationship between the two countries.