Pakse International Airport (VLPS)
Large airport · Pakse, Champasak Province, Laos
Airport data
| Name | Pakse International Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | VLPS |
| IATA | PKZ |
| Elevation | 351 ft (107 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 15°8'2" E 105°46'48" 15.13397, 105.77987 |
| Location | Pakse, Champasak Province, Laos |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15/33 | 7,874 ft (2400 m) | 147 ft | CON | Yes |
Pakse International Airport at a glance
Pakse International Airport is a large airport in Pakse, Champasak Province, Laos, known to airline systems as PKZ. The field elevation of 351 ft (107 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at VLPS 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, 15/33, offers 7,874 ft (2400 m) of con surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 15 points roughly 150° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for VLPS 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 Pakse International Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Ubon Ratchathani Airport | VTUU | 99 km (53 NM) |
| Savannakhet Airport | VLSK | 192 km (104 NM) |
| Ratanakiri Airport | VDRK | 203 km (110 NM) |
| Roi Et Airport | VTUV | 241 km (130 NM) |
| Surin Airport | VTUJ | 247 km (133 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Pakse International Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 351 ft field elevation of Pakse 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 6 airports and airfields we list for Laos — 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 Pakse International Airport
What is the ICAO code of Pakse International Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Pakse International Airport is VLPS, and its IATA code is PKZ. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Pakse International Airport above sea level?
Pakse International Airport sits at an elevation of 351 feet (107 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Pakse International Airport located?
The airport lies at 15.1340, 105.7799 — in Pakse, Champasak Province, Laos, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Ubon Ratchathani Airport, about 99 km away.
Does VLPS publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for VLPS 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 Pakse International Airport?
Pakse International Airport has one runway. The longest, 15/33, measures 7,874 ft (2400 m) with a CON surface.