Wattay International Airport (VLVT)
Large airport · Vientiane, Vientiane Prefecture, Laos
Airport data
| Name | Wattay International Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | VLVT |
| IATA | VTE |
| Elevation | 564 ft (172 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 17°59'6" E 102°34'0" 17.98505, 102.56669 |
| Location | Vientiane, Vientiane Prefecture, Laos |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13/31 | 9,843 ft (3000 m) | 148 ft | ASP | Yes |
Wattay International Airport at a glance
Wattay International Airport is a large airport in Vientiane, Vientiane Prefecture, Laos, known to airline systems as VTE. The field elevation of 564 ft (172 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at VLVT 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, 13/31, offers 9,843 ft (3000 m) of asp surface, with runway lighting for night operations. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 13 points roughly 130° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for VLVT 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 Wattay International Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Udon Thani International Airport | VTUD | 71 km (38 NM) |
| Loei Airport | VTUL | 108 km (58 NM) |
| Khon Kaen Airport | VTUK | 170 km (92 NM) |
| Sakon Nakhon Airport | VTUI | 187 km (101 NM) |
| Phetchabun Airport | VTPB | 206 km (111 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Wattay International Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 564 ft field elevation of Wattay 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 Wattay International Airport
What is the ICAO code of Wattay International Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Wattay International Airport is VLVT, and its IATA code is VTE. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Wattay International Airport above sea level?
Wattay International Airport sits at an elevation of 564 feet (172 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Wattay International Airport located?
The airport lies at 17.9851, 102.5667 — in Vientiane, Vientiane Prefecture, Laos, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Udon Thani International Airport, about 71 km away.
Does VLVT publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for VLVT 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 Wattay International Airport?
Wattay International Airport has one runway. The longest, 13/31, measures 9,843 ft (3000 m) with a ASP surface.