- 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 inVientiane ,Laos . It is the national airline of Laos, operating domestic services to ten destinations and international services toCambodia ,China ,Thailand andVietnam . Its main base isWattay 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 Reap China
*Kunming Laos
*Houei Sai
*Luang Prabang
*Oudomxay
*Pakse
*Vientiane (Wattay International Airport )
*Xieng Khuang
*Luang Namtha
*Savannakhet Thailand
*Bangkok
*Chiang Mai Vietnam
*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
*2ATR 72-500 on order, to delivery in 2009
*2ATR 72-202
*4Xian MA60 Previously operated
At August 2006 the airline also operated [
Flight International , 3-9 October 2006] :
*2Harbin Y-12 External links
* [http://www.laoairlines.com/ Lao Airlines official website]
* [http://www.muonglaomagazine.com Muong Lao Magazine inflight magazine]References
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