VTElarge airport

Wattay International Airport

Vientiane, Laos

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Routes out

Destinations

ICAO

VLVT

Elevation

564 ft

The gateway in a glance

The Essence of Wattay International Airport

VTE

Location

Vientiane · VT · Laos

Connectivity

25 routes · 17 destinations

Position

17.985°, 102.567° · 564 ft elev.

Visa & Entry

e-Visa, Visa on Arrival

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A closer look

Living guide content for Wattay International Airport — read or listen in 46+ languages.

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TravelerPulse profile

Laos's principal international gateway in the capital Vientiane.

Opened

1950s

Location

Vientiane, Laos

Wattay International Airport is the main international airport serving Vientiane, the capital city of Laos. Located approximately 4 kilometres northwest of the city centre, it is the busiest airport in the country and serves as the primary hub for Lao Airlines. The airport underwent significant expansion and modernisation efforts in the 2000s and 2010s, including the construction of a new international terminal that opened in 2008, improving capacity and passenger facilities. It handles the majority of Laos's international air traffic, with connections to regional destinations across Southeast Asia, China, and beyond. Despite its status as the country's main gateway, Wattay remains a relatively small airport by regional standards, reflecting Laos's developing aviation sector and tourism industry.

Terminals

The airport has two terminals — a domestic terminal and a separate international terminal opened in 2008.

Getting to & from

Ground transport into central Vientiane is available via taxis and tuk-tuks, with the city centre approximately 4 kilometres from the airport.

Airlines here

Lao Airlines serves as the primary carrier and hub airline, with regional services also operated by Bangkok Airways, Thai Airways, Vietnam Airlines, and China Eastern Airlines.

Notable facts

›Wattay is the busiest airport in Laos by passenger volume.
›The international terminal was opened in 2008 as part of a major modernisation project.
›The airport's IATA code VTE derives from the French colonial name 'Vientiane'.
›Lao Airlines, the national carrier, maintains its headquarters and main hub at Wattay.
›The airport is located roughly 4 km northwest of Vientiane's city centre.

Official website Wikipedia

This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.

Route map (17 destinations)

Leaflet © OpenStreetMap © CARTO

Airlines serving this airport

AirAsia

FlyNordic

Sierra National Airlines

Jin Air

China Eastern Airlines

Bangkok Airways

Lao Airlines

Thai Airways International

Vietnam Airlines

Routes

VTE → KULAK · 320

VTE → LPQLF · 737

VTE → BKKLF · 737

VTE → ICNLJ · 738

VTE → NNGMU · 737

VTE → KMGMU · 737

VTE → BKKPG · 319

VTE → CANQV · 320

VTE → PKZQV · AT7 320

VTE → SINQV · 320

VTE → XKHQV · AT7

VTE → BKKQV · 320 AT7

VTE → HOEQV · AT7

VTE → LPQQV · AT7 320

VTE → PNHQV · 321

VTE → HANQV · 320

VTE → ICNQV · 320

VTE → KMGQV · 320

VTE → ODYQV · AT7

VTE → LXGQV · AT7

VTE → ZVKQV · AT7

VTE → BKKTG · 734

VTE → PNHVN · 321

VTE → HANVN · 321

VTE → VIIVN · AT7

Aircraft operating here

Airbus A3209 routes Aerospatiale/Alenia ATR 729 routes Boeing 7374 routes Airbus A3213 routes Boeing 737-8001 routes Airbus A3191 routes Boeing 737-4001 routes

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Where

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City & Place Guide

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Passport, Visa & Immigration

Flying internationally via VTE? Check entry, transit and customs requirements for Laos from official government sources.

Laos visa & entry information →Embassy & consulate finder →

Encyclopaedia

Wattay International Airport is an international airport in Laos, the country's main international gateway, serving the capital Vientiane, located 3 km (1.9 mi) outside of the city centre in Sikhottabong district, Vientiane Prefecture. The airport is operated by the Lao Airport Authority (LAA) and serves as a hub for Lao Skyway, Lanexang Airways International, and Lao Airlines. The Lao Air Force also operates an installation at one end of the airport.

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