{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Airport",
  "address": {
    "@type": "PostalAddress",
    "addressCountry": "Laos",
    "addressLocality": "Saravane"
  },
  "airlines": [
    "regional carriers"
  ],
  "amenityFeature": [
    {
      "@type": "LocationFeatureSpecification",
      "name": "Domestic to Domestic Connection Time",
      "value": "45 minutes"
    },
    {
      "@type": "LocationFeatureSpecification",
      "name": "Domestic to International Connection Time",
      "value": "90 minutes"
    },
    {
      "@type": "LocationFeatureSpecification",
      "name": "International to Domestic Connection Time",
      "value": "90 minutes"
    },
    {
      "@type": "LocationFeatureSpecification",
      "name": "International to International Connection Time",
      "value": "120 minutes"
    },
    {
      "@type": "LocationFeatureSpecification",
      "name": "Interline Connection Time",
      "value": "0 minutes"
    }
  ],
  "city": "Saravane",
  "code": "VNA",
  "connection_tips": "Saravane Airport operates as a small regional facility serving rural southeastern Laos with a single gravel runway, providing essential connectivity for Salavan Province's remote communities through limited scheduled and charter services. Alternative transportation includes bus connections to Thailand's Ubon Ratchathani Province, though border crossing procedures require proper documentation and can involve extended waiting times during peak travel periods. Emergency medical evacuation capabilities are maintained year-round given the region's geographical isolation, with helicopter services available through military coordination when weather conditions permit safe operations. The airport's strategic position near the Thai border makes it an important gateway for cross-border connectivity in the greater Mekong region, supporting both official travel and economic exchanges.\n\nPassengers should maintain extremely flexible travel plans and confirm flight status multiple times before departure, as weather-related delays and cancellations occur frequently due to basic operational capabilities and dependence on visual flight rules. Flight schedules remain highly flexible due to weather dependencies, particularly during monsoon seasons from May through October when heavy rainfall can suspend operations entirely, requiring passengers to maintain backup transportation plans including overland routes to Pakse Airport 120 kilometers southeast. The airport lacks published METAR weather reporting infrastructure, relying on regional meteorological data for atmospheric conditions, though local weather patterns can differ significantly due to the mountainous terrain surrounding Salavan.\n\nThe facility serves as a vital transportation link connecting Salavan Province communities to larger urban centers including Pakse, Savannakhet, and Vientiane for essential services, education, and economic opportunities. The Vientiane Flight Information Region coordinates regional air traffic control operations, with flights typically routing through Wattay International Airport for international connections. Ground transportation consists primarily of pre-arranged pickup services through local guesthouses and tour operators, as public transport options remain limited in this remote area where tuk-tuks and motorbikes dominate local mobility.",
  "country": "Laos",
  "flag_url": "https://flagcdn.com/w320/la.png",
  "flight_search_affiliate_link": "https://book.beatthatflight.com.au/?currency=LAK",
  "frequent_traveler_tip": [
    "Salavan Airport in Laos has a short gravel runway.",
    "Flights may cancel in heavy rain, so keep flexible plans and verify tickets with carriers.",
    "Check your flight status before leaving for the airport.",
    "Allow extra time during peak travel periods at this airport.",
    "Keep important documents easily accessible at this airport."
  ],
  "global_map_link": "https://www.google.com/maps?q=Saravane+Airport",
  "google_maps_reviews": {
    "rating": 0.0,
    "recent_reviews": [],
    "total_reviews": 0
  },
  "hotel_affiliate_link": "https://book.beatthatflight.com.au/?currency=LAK",
  "iataCode": "VNA",
  "icao": "VLSV",
  "international": false,
  "last_modified": "June 2026",
  "last_updated": "2026-03-30",
  "latitude": 24.54116925407739,
  "layover_planner_info": "Limited amenities.",
  "longitude": -0.20318720243662325,
  "mct_domestic_to_domestic": 45,
  "mct_domestic_to_international": 90,
  "mct_interline": 110,
  "mct_international_to_domestic": 90,
  "mct_international_to_international": 120,
  "missed_connection_help": "Contact your airline for assistance.",
  "name": "Saravane Airport",
  "region": "Asia",
  "related_airports": [
    {
      "code": "HOE",
      "name": "Ban Huoeisay Airport"
    }
  ],
  "terminal_info": "Saravane Airport (VNA/VLSV) operates as Salavan Province's dormant aviation gateway in southeastern Laos, where the single runway 06/24 at 574 feet elevation represents aviation infrastructure completed in 2015 that failed to sustain commercial operations after Lao Airlines terminated its Vientiane-Pakse-Saravane service in October 2016 due to insufficient passenger demand, leading to official closure in January 2017. Located near the Bolaven Plateau coffee-growing region and approximately 93 kilometers from Pakse International Airport, this strategically positioned but underutilized facility demonstrates the challenges facing regional connectivity in Laos where road improvements and limited air travel demand have rendered several provincial airports economically unviable despite significant infrastructure investment.\n\nMinimal terminal facilities reflect the airport's non-operational status following its brief commercial service period from April to October 2016, when Lao Airlines operated ATR turboprops twice weekly expanding to thrice weekly before terminating services due to load factors below 30 percent. The basic passenger terminal constructed during the 2013-2015 development phase now stands empty, with the runway maintained minimally for potential emergency operations and future reactivation should economic conditions or tourism development justify renewed commercial services to this remote southeastern province bordering Vietnam and Cambodia.\n\nOperational characteristics when active emphasized visual flight rules operations without published METAR weather reporting, relying on regional meteorological data from Pakse and Phu Bai International Airport 158 kilometers away, creating significant operational constraints during monsoon season from May through October when heavy rainfall and limited visibility frequently disrupted schedules. The facility's closure reflects broader challenges facing Lao aviation where improved road infrastructure including the upgraded Route 16 to Pakse has made overland travel increasingly competitive with air services for provincial connections, particularly given the high operating costs of serving remote locations with limited passenger demand.\n\nStrategic importance despite closure encompasses potential reactivation for special economic zone development, cross-border connectivity initiatives with Vietnam's Central Highlands, and emergency response capabilities for southeastern Laos where the Xe Kong and Xe Kaman rivers create seasonal isolation for remote communities. The facility exemplifies regional aviation infrastructure challenges throughout Southeast Asia where ambitious connectivity goals confront economic realities, demonstrating how provincial airports require sustained government subsidies or significant tourism development to maintain viable operations in competition with improving ground transportation networks.",
  "terminal_map_url": "https://skyvector.com/airport/VLSV/Saravane-Airport"
}