Lao Airlines

Infobox Airline
airline=Lao Airlines
ການບິນລາວ
logo=Lao Airlines logo.gif‎
logo_size=170
fleet_size=6 (+3 orders)
destinations=12
IATA=QV
ICAO=LAO
callsign=LAO
founded=1976
headquarters=Vientiane, Laos
key_people=Dr Somphone Douangdara (President)
hubs=Wattay International Airport
Luang Prabang International Airport
focus_cities=
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.cite news | title= Directory: World Airlines | work= Flight International | pages= 104-105 | date= 2007-04-03] .

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.

Flying mainly to small airfields in mountainous, tropical Laos, the airline acquired a not-too-favorable 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.

Destinations

As of May 2007, Lao Airlines operates scheduled flights to the following destinations: [ [http://www.laoairlines.com/timetable_new_i.html Lao Airlines international schedule] ] [ [http://www.laoairlines.com/timetable_new_d.html Lao Airlines domestic schedule] ]

Cambodia
*Phnom Penh
*Siem ReapChina
*KunmingLaos
*Houei Sai
*Luang Prabang
*Oudomxay
*Pakse
*Vientiane (Wattay International Airport)
*Xieng Khuang
*Luang Namtha
*Savannakhet

Thailand
*Bangkok
*Chiang MaiVietnam
*Hanoi

Fleet

As of February 2008, the average age of the Lao Airlines fleet is 5.2 years, and includes the following aircraft:

*2 ARJ21-900 on order, to delivery in 2011
*2 ATR 72-500 on order, to delivery in 2009
*2 ATR 72-202
*4 Xian MA60

Previously operated

At August 2006 the airline also operated [Flight International, 3-9 October 2006] :
*2 Harbin Y-12

External links

* [http://www.laoairlines.com/ Lao Airlines official website]
* [http://www.muonglaomagazine.com Muong Lao Magazine inflight magazine]

References