Lao Airlines signed a purchase order on Monday for two more MA 60 aircraft from China, after the planes proved well suited for use in Laos following the first purchase of two last year.
The Lao Civil Aviation Department of the Ministry of Communication, Transportation, Post and Construction and Lao Airlines signed a contract for the two aircraft with the Avic 1 Xian Aircraft Industry (Group) Company Limited of China .
The President of Lao Airlines, Dr Somphone Douangdara, said that after Lao Airlines purchased two MA 60s from the company last year, passengers surveys indicated a high level of satisfaction with the aircraft.
He said the two new aircraft were being purchased to meet the increasing demand for air travel in Laos .
The MA60 seats 56 passengers and can land on short runways, making it suitable for Lao airports.
Dr Somphone also said the purchase of the planes was part of the economic cooperation between Laos and China , as well as cooperation in trade and technology, and thanked the two governments for their support in purchasing the new aircraft.
The additional aircraft will increase services on existing Lao Airlines sectors, especially between Luang Prabang, Oudomxay, and Bangkok , Thailand .
The first of the two planes on order will arrive in Laos in October in time for the main tourist season in the winter, and the other will arrive next year.
Director General of the Lao Civil Aviation Department, Mr Yakua Lopangkao, said the purchases were approved by the Lao government at the end of 2005, with money loaned by the Chinese government. The agreement has progressed smoothly so far, and Lao Airlines hope their plans for additional flights will be on target.
Mr Yakua also said the support of the governments of Laos and China , and the companies involved, had enabled the improvement of Lao Airlines, bringing it more in line with the airlines of other countries.
“This project will also boost tourism in Laos , enabling the country to attract more tourists through better transport services,” said Mr Yakua.
Lao Airlines also hope the two governments will continue to provide further support for the purchase of another new aircraft, the ARJ21-700, in the near future.
The signing ceremony for the purchase of the planes was witnessed by the Standing Deputy Prime Minister of Laos Mr Somsavat Lengsavad, the Minister of Communications, Transportation, Post and Construction Mr Sommad Pholsena, and the Chinese Ambassador to Laos Mr Pan Guangxue.
By Soudalath Phonpachith (Latest update July 04, 2007)
Thats are very good news indeed. I always see a lot of people using only thai airlines. It is time to change this kind of thinking and use lao service !
That is right. after buying these two planes, Laos will buy more plane from China in the near future. We will see more Dokchampa air planes. That means Lao plane.
Airbus and Boeing built larger aircraft with jet engines and used for long haul, and therefore very expensive for maintenance and operation, let alone the price which Lao Airlines couldn't afford.
This type of aircraft (MA60) is well suitable for small and relatively short distances like Laos.
