Paek District: A handover ceremony marking the completion of Phase 1 of the Thong Hai Hin-Xiengkhuang Airport renovation project took place on June 2, 2025, in Paek District, Xiengkhuang Province. The event was presided over by Lieutenant General Khamlieng Uthakaisone, Minister of National Defense, and featured a formal address by Mr. Zhang Hongyuan, Head of the Representative Office of AVIC INTL, China, the company responsible for the project’s design and construction. Lieutenant General Khamlek Sengphachan, Commander of the Lao Air Force, officially received the project.
According to Lao News Agency, representatives from four key departments, including the Ministry of National Defense, military commands from Xiengkhuang and Houaphan provinces, airline officials, and other stakeholders, were in attendance. Mr. Zhang stated that construction began in 2024 and has now been completed on schedule. Significant upgrades were made to the airport’s infrastructure, particularly the runway, which was expanded and reinforced to support heavier aircraft, improve operational safety, and comply with higher technical standards.
The successful delivery of Phase 1 highlights the growing strategic partnership between Laos and China, with the project representing a milestone in bilateral cooperation. Preparations and assessments for Phase 2 of the renovation are currently underway.