Very near future, Lao people will go with Lao Boeing and Lao Airbus
(KPL) Lao people will have a good opportunity to journey with Boeing or Airbus plane to fly cross continent where they want after Lao Aviation Company had a purchasing plan. So far, Laos has not yet had any flight flying directly from Laos to each continent, the most of its flight is available to serve only amongst neighbouring countries and ASEAN nations. The latest news was disclosed that the Lao government has ambitiously planned to purchase new planes to replace ATR and MA 60 planes. Because these planes can fly only short distance and cannot fly over continent. Mr Vixay Bouavanh, Director of Flight Operation and Training Department disclosed that there are currently more than 6 planes including ATR planes made in France and MA 60 planes made in China have been serving effectively among neighbouring countries. “Our plan expects to be achieved by 2010, we may purchase Boeing or Airbus planes to be available for providing different destination to customers in the future,” he said. The purchasing budget might come from the Lao government however Laos faces shortage of pilots to drive the planes. To cope with this matter, presently, the Lao Airlines awarded scholarships to Lao students to study in China, Thailand, Vietnam and Sweden. Laos needs to look for more than 30 pilots and 50 airhostesses are eligible to many positions if the plan becomes true, according to Mr Vixay.
We started quite late ... but better than not starting at all...
we should change the head of aviation department or the manager of Laos Airline... because nothing progress during their tenure... alway ATR....and most customers prefer to take Thai Air even govt officials when they go to seminar...
We want to see a big improvement in Laos Airlining Sector..
About 4 years ago, Laos did rent some Airbus planes from France. It was in operation for less than a year, Lao Aviation Company (LAC) had to return those planes back to France. LAC said they didnt have enough customers flying in it and not making any profit. Those planes are mainly used for VTE to BKK and BKK back to VTE.
I had a chance to flew back to VTE on those new Airbus. It was nice and big change from ATR planes that they are still using it now. At that time, there's no pilot in Laos qualified to fly the Airbus. The captain on the flight I was on was vietnamese and I can't understand a word he said in english.
Well, I hope this time Laos can keep all the Airbus planes in operations. Someday, I like to see a non-stop flights from Laos to Taipei or Tokyo or Hong Kong. This way, most lao folks living in the U.S. can visit Laos with 1 stop connection flight.
Laos shouldn't be buying planes from China. I know it is cheap comparing to planes from France or U.S. But, they have to think about the safety of customers. Most things from China aren't make to last.
That is great news. that would facilitate more flights, thus the possibility of cheaper plane fares. More people will be able to witness how beautiful Laos is.