China, Laos Signed A $57.8 Million Deal To Upgrade Luang Prabang Airport

October 25, 2007 8:40 p.m. EST

Luang Prabang, Laos (AHN) - The governments of China and Laos signed a $57.8 million loan agreement for the upgrading of the international airport in the northern Laotian city of Luang Prabang.

Yakua Lopangkao, head of the Civil Aviation Department of Laos, and Luo Yan, president of China CAMC Engineering Co., Ltd., signed the agreement on Monday at the Don Chan Palace hotel in the Laotian capital of Vientiane. Transport officials of Laos, the Chinese ambassador to Laos and other officials witnessed the signing.

The Chinese firm will undertake the renovation of the airport within 45 months. The works include the construction of a new, 30,139-square-foot (2,800-meter) runway, two taxiways, an 80,729-square-foot (7,500-square-meter) terminal and an access road to the airport and its parking lot.

The airport hangar will also be expanded to accommodate four Boeing 737s or ATR 320s and modern electrical and aviation radio systems will be installed.

China CAMC Engineering will also train the technical staff of the airport.