Lao Airlines schedules extra flights for Pi Mai
Lao Airlines schedules extra flights for Pi Mai
Lao Airlines has decided to add one more flight from Vientiane to Luang Prabang province during Lao New Year to cater for the additional number of tourists bound for the celebrations in the world heritage town.
They will increase the number of flights from three per day to four per day, Commercial Department Director General, Ms Phouthasone Vannachack told Vientiane Times yesterday.
Airbus planes on this route are normally flying two times a day while there is one ATR flight and the airline plans to schedule another airbus flight, she said.
Usually, flights depart at 9:10am, 12:10pm and 5:00pm. The additional flight is set to depart at 2:50pm.
The company has decided to increase the flights on this route in response to increased bookings and demand as many revellers head to Luang Prabang to witness the traditional festival.
Initially, this additional flight is scheduled for April 11-13 but the company may extend it a few more days if the number of passengers is still large, Ms Phouthasone said.
Luang Prabang will be the centre of the Lao New Year festival, with at least 14 activities prepared for visitors over 10 days, starting on April 10.
This makes Luang Prabang province the place with the longest Lao New Year celebrations, which are officially slated for three days from April 14-16.
The numbers of Lao and foreign visitors to Luang Prabang province has constantly increased each year. In 2012 there were around 410,000 visitors, which increased to almost 468,000 people in 2013 according to the Tourism Development Department.
The co mpany has also changed the type of planes flying from Vientiane to Luang Namtha, Bokeo and Oudomxay provinces from MA planes which have 57 seats to the ATR planes which contain 70 seats but there is still only one flight to each destination per d ay.
Meanwhile flights from Vientiane to Savannakhet and Champassak provinces remain fixed at two flights per day.
The company is taking the opportunity to offer special one way ticket prices when passengers return from other provinces to Vientiane. This promotion will run until the end of April.
The company currently has a fleet of 15 planes, of which four airbuses service domestic and international flights.
vientiane times
