Lao Airlines held a traditional baci ceremony on Saturday to welcome the arrival of a new MA 60 aircraft at Wattay International Airport , after the aircraft landed successfully in Vientiane on Friday evening.

This is the third of four planes bought from the Avic1 Xian Aircraft Industry Group Co Ltd of China to cope with rising passenger numbers in Laos .

The MA60 holds up to 56 passengers and can land on short runways, making it suitable for Lao airports.

The additional aircraft will increase services on existing Lao Airlines routes, especially Vientiane to Luang Prabang and Oudomxay provinces, and between Vientiane and Bangkok . According to plans, the last MA 60 aircraft will arrive in Laos next year.

By VIENTIANE TIMES
(Latest Update October 29, 2007)