Laos targets more international flights

Lao PDR’s Department of Civil Aviation says its priority is to encourage more international airlines to serve the capital Vientiane.

In an interview the department claimed there were more direct flights to Laos, many of them charter flights during the peak tourist season November to April.

Flights from China are on the increase. Previously, only China Eastern Airlines operated flights, but now Sichuan Airlines and Hainan Airlines, both serve the country direct from China.

Nations with direct flights  to Laos include China, Vietnam, Thailand, South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia, the report said.

Civil aviation officials are keen to see more airlines serve the capital to balance traffic to Luang Prabang, the country’s main tourist destination. Most airlines prefer to fly to the World Heritage town as flights quickly turn a profit, although there is a significant dip in bookings during the monsoon season June to October.

Up until 2015, traffic rights were difficult to obtain particularly to Luang Prabang where there was virtual ban on low-cost airlines. However, 2016 saw a change in policy and low-cost airlines opened services from neighbouring countries.

South Korea airlines serve Laos with both schedule and charter flights. Japanese airlines previously offered charter flights.

Foreign airlines have access to three locations in Laos – Champasak, Luang Prabang and Vientiane, it added.

Airline seat quotas on flights between Vientiane and Bangkok have been increased in a bid to promote trade, investment and tourism between the two destinations.

Thai and Lao PDR officials approved, last year, a revised Thai-Lao accord that increases the ceiling on seat capacity on routes between the two countries to as many as 14,500 seats weekly depending on the route.