Attapeu airport construction ahead of schedule
Attapeu airport construction ahead of schedule
Construction of the Attapeu International Airport may be completed earlier than scheduled due to the progress that has been made since it began in May last year, according to project officials.
“The project was expected to reach completion in 24 months, or by May next year, however I think it may be finished in March,” Project Manager Mr Komack Keochampa said on Wednesday.
“The construction is now some 66 percent complete, which is about 9 percent ahead of schedule,” Mr Komack said.
Within the project's scope of works, construction of the runway is 15 percent complete while the new terminal building is 12 percent complete. Other construction works included in the scope of the project are the building of the control tower, warehouse, water system, car park, electricity system and substation, perimeter fencing and other stations.
The project, which is valued at 289 billion kip (US$36.19 million), is now expected to be finished before the forecast completion date.
The development is being carried out by a Vietnamese company based in Attapeu province and is under the supervision of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport's Civil Aviation Department.
The company has been provided funds in the form of a loan as this project is a government investment.
The construction of Attapeu International Airport is expected to encourage socio-economic development and tourism in the province, as well as in the southern region as a whole.
The new airport will be a medium-d facility with a 2,850 metre runway.
A project report noted that it would be able to accommodate aircraft with 70 to 100 seats such as the ATR72, Fokker70, Fokker100 and MA60.
This is only the first phase of the project which is located on an area of 450 metres by 2,850 metres in Xaysettha district.
The government plans to complete the second phase to expand the airport by 2020, whereby the 2,850 metre runway will be increased to 5,200 metres.
Currently there are only two airports in the f our southern provinces of Champassak, Xekong, Saravan and Attapeu. One is located in Champassak and the other in Saravan.
vientiane times
