Laoag International Airport (RPLI)
Large airport · Laoag City, Ilocos Norte Province, Philippines
Airport data
| Name | Laoag International Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | RPLI |
| IATA | LAO |
| Elevation | 25 ft (8 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 18°10'30" E 120°31'52" 18.17509, 120.53101 |
| Location | Laoag City, Ilocos Norte Province, Philippines |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/19 | 9,120 ft (2780 m) | 148 ft | CON | Yes |
Laoag International Airport at a glance
Laoag International Airport is a large airport in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte Province, Philippines, known to airline systems as LAO. The field elevation of 25 ft (8 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at RPLI are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
The single runway, 01/19, offers 9,120 ft (2780 m) of con surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 01 points roughly 10° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for RPLI shows the current observation decoded line by line — wind on an instrument dial, visibility, cloud layers and the resulting flight rules — refreshed continuously from official sources.
Nearest airports to Laoag International Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Cagayan North International Airport | RPLH | 128 km (69 NM) |
| Tuguegarao Airport | RPUT | 140 km (76 NM) |
| San Fernando Airport | RPUS | 177 km (96 NM) |
| Cauayan Airport | RPUY | 190 km (103 NM) |
| Loakan Airport | RPUB | 200 km (108 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Laoag International Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 25 ft field elevation of Laoag International Airport can translate into a substantially higher density altitude, stretching take-off rolls and flattening climb rates — run the numbers rather than trusting the feel of a standard day. Expect published instrument procedures, controlled airspace and clearance requirements; slots and handling may apply to general aviation traffic.
This entry is one of 57 airports and airfields we list for Philippines — the country index on the airports hub links the rest. Coordinates above are given in both DMS and decimal degrees so they can go straight into a GPS, a flight planner or a chart plot without conversion.
Where this data comes from
The reference layer behind this page builds on the OurAirports dataset — a public-domain, community-maintained register of the world's airports that many flight planners and apps rely on — with equity records preserved from documented historical listings where the dataset is silent. Figures are carried as published: elevations as surveyed, coordinates as filed, runway dimensions as recorded. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap, and the whole layer regenerates from source on every site build, so corrections upstream arrive here automatically.
Frequently asked questions about Laoag International Airport
What is the ICAO code of Laoag International Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Laoag International Airport is RPLI, and its IATA code is LAO. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Laoag International Airport above sea level?
Laoag International Airport sits at an elevation of 25 feet (8 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Laoag International Airport located?
The airport lies at 18.1751, 120.5310 — in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte Province, Philippines, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Cagayan North International Airport, about 128 km away.
Does RPLI publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for RPLI appear on its live weather page on this site, refreshed continuously from the US NWS Aviation Weather Center feed.
How long is the runway at Laoag International Airport?
Laoag International Airport has one runway. The longest, 01/19, measures 9,120 ft (2780 m) with a CON surface.