The project aims to strengthen Laos’aviation safety inspection system and build sustainable professional capacity in line with international standards.

The seminar was co-chaired by Mr. Kim Jeong Ryeol, KSP Senior Advisor and former Vice Minister of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport of the Republic of Korea; Mr. Khamla Phommavanh, Director General of the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA), Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT); and Mr. Lee Dong Gyu, Minister Counsellor of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the Lao PDR.

The high-level event gathered distinguished guests from both countries, including Mr. Park Jungwe, Director General of KOTRA Vientiane, officials from Luang Prabang International Airport, and representatives from the Department of Cooperation and International Finance under the Ministry of Finance, as well as the Investment Promotion and Management Committee.

Funded by Korea’s Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Knowledge Sharing Program (KSP) is an ODA-based policy consultation initiative designed to share Korea’s development experience, support evidence-based policymaking, and enhance institutional capacity in partner countries. This particular project focuses on improving Laos’ aviation safety system and preparing for the ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) scheduled for 2026.

Building on the success of the 2023–24 KSP Phase 1 project, titled “Luang Prabang International Airport Airspace and Flight Procedure Improvement,” which focused on airspace design, flight procedure development, and officer training, the second phase shifted its emphasis toward institutional capacity-building. It introduced an Aviation Safety Inspector Training System, including the development of an ICAO-compliant curriculum and instructional materials to foster self-sufficient aviation safety and security professionals in Laos.

The project’s implementing agency, Korea Aerospace University (KAU), presented a comprehensive Roadmap for the Development of the Aviation Safety Inspector System, which includes: establishing a training system for aviation safety and security inspectors; developing specialized training programs for Luang Prabang International Airport; covering key areas such as Security, Aerodrome Safety, Flight Safety,i and Air Navigation Safety, implementing a Train-the-Trainer (TTT) model to enable Laos to independently train its inspectors and ensuring full compliance with ICAO Annexes 1, 3, 6, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, and 17.

Expected outcomes of the project include: enhanced aviation safety inspection standards at Luang Prabang International Airport; strengthened institutional and human resource capacity within the Lao DCA; long-term sustainability through self-reliant local training systems and improved readiness for the upcoming ICAO USOAP audit in 2026.

A major highlight of the seminar was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the DCA and KAU to advance human resource development in the aviation sector. Under this agreement, both parties will collaborate on specialized training programs in aviation safety, security, and safety management systems (SMS), as well as pilot training. The partnership will also explore the development of an aviation training institute in Laos and potential ODA funding through Korean organizations such as KOICA, MOLIT, and KOTRA.

The MoU, valid for five years, establishes a sustainable framework to promote aviation education and strengthen safety standards in Laos.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Kim Jeong Ryeol expressed pride in sharing Korea’s aviation expertise and reaffirmed Korea’s commitment to supporting Laos in building a safer and more efficient air transport system.

Mr. Khamla Phommavanh extended his appreciation to the Korean government and KSP team, emphasizing that developing human resources in the aviation sector remains a top priority for the DCA. He noted that the project provides a solid foundation for cultivating professional aviation inspectors and improving operational safety at Luang Prabang International Airport. He also stressed the importance of forming a joint working group to ensure effective implementation of the MoU.

Mr. Lee Dong Gyu, Minister Counsellor of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the Lao PDR, highlighted that although diplomatic relations between Korea and Laos were only re-established in 1995, the past three decades have seen strong cooperation through numerous ODA projects. He noted that Korea now ranks among the top five foreign investors in Laos and that this KSP project will further enhance Laos’ aviation capacity, paving the way for increased Korean tourism.

Mr. Park Jungwe, Director General of KOTRA Vientiane, remarked that the KSP project is a testament to the successful cooperation between Korea and Laos in the aviation sector and serves as a model for future bilateral development initiatives.

The successful conclusion of the project marks another milestone in the Korea–Laos partnership under the KSP framework, reinforcing mutual trust and advancing Laos’ aviation sector toward international excellence.

KPL