Lao Airlines
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| Lao Airlines ການບິນລາວ |
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| IATA QV |
ICAO LAO |
Callsign LAO |
| Founded | 1976 | |
| Hubs | Wattay International Airport Luang Prabang International Airport |
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| Fleet size | 6 (+3 orders) | |
| Destinations | 12 | |
| Headquarters | Vientiane, Laos | |
| Key people | Dr Somphone Douangdara (President) | |
| Website: http://www.laoairlines.com/ | ||
Lao Airlines is an airline based in Vientiane, Laos. It is the national airline of Laos, operating domestic services to ten destinations and international services to Cambodia, China, Thailand and Vietnam. Its main base is Wattay International Airport, Vientiane.[1].
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[edit] History
The airline was established and started operations in September 1976 as Lao Aviation. The name was changed to Lao Airlines in early 2003. It is wholly owned by the Government of Laos.[1]
Flying mainly to small airfields in mountainous, tropical Laos, the airline acquired a not-too-favourable reputation for safety, several flights being lost over the years. Lately, with better aircraft and airfields, this reputation has been overcome. Reliability is now complying to international standards, at least for ATR 72 aircraft.
[edit] Destinations
As of May 2007, Lao Airlines operates scheduled flights to the following destinations:[2][3]
- Houei Sai
- Luang Prabang
- Oudomxay
- Pakse
- Vientiane (Wattay International Airport)
- Xieng Khuang
- Luang Namtha
[edit] Fleet
The Lao Airlines fleet includes the following aircraft (at February 2008):
- 2 ARJ21-900 on order, to delivery in 2011
- 1 ATR 72-500 on order, to delivery in 2009
- 2 ATR 72-202
- 4 Xian MA60
As of February 2008, the average age of the Lao Airlines fleet is 5.2 years
[edit] Previously operated
At August 2006 the airline also operated[4] :
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ a b "Directory: World Airlines", Flight International, 2007-04-03, pp. 104-105.
- ^ Lao Airlines international schedule
- ^ Lao Airlines domestic schedule
- ^ Flight International, 3-9 October 2006
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