Old Loei Airport

Replacement and obsolescence. The old airport was closed because it was replaced by the new Loei Airport (ICAO: VTUL, IATA: LOE), located approximately 3.5 km to the south-southwest. The primary reasons for the replacement were:
1. **Inadequate Runway:** The old runway was too short and not built to the specifications required for modern, larger jet aircraft like the Boeing 737s and Airbus A320s used by major domestic carriers.
2. **Outdated Facilities:** The terminal and support infrastructure were small and outdated, unable to handle the increasing passenger traffic driven by tourism and economic growth in Loei province.
3. **Lack of Expansion Space:** The airport's location was becoming constrained by urban development, making significant runway extensions or facility upgrades impractical.

The site has been completely repurposed for public and governmental use. The former runway is now a popular public park and recreational area. It is widely used by locals for activities such as jogging, cycling, aerobics, and as a practice area for driving. The long, straight pavement is also frequently used to host local festivals, markets, and large-scale public events. The surrounding land and former airport buildings have been developed to house several government offices, most notably the Loei Provincial Administrative Organization (อบจ. เลย). The road leading to the site is still named 'Thanon Sanambin Kao', which translates to 'Old Airport Road'.

For several decades, this was the primary and sole air gateway to Loei province. It played a vital role in connecting the relatively remote province with Bangkok and the rest of Thailand. Operations primarily consisted of domestic passenger flights, mainly operated by the national carrier, Thai Airways, using smaller turboprop aircraft suitable for the short runway, such as the Hawker Siddeley HS 748. The airport was essential for government administration, business travel, and the nascent tourism industry in the region before it was superseded by the modern facility.

There are zero plans or prospects for reopening the site as an airport. Its aviation function has been permanently and successfully transferred to the new Loei Airport (VTUL). The land has been fully and effectively repurposed for community and administrative use, making any return to aviation operations both unnecessary and practically impossible.