Soaking in Japan's autumn colours
Soaking in Japan's autumn colours
Lao Airlines will offer additional flight services from Vientiane to Oudomxay in response to growing passenger demand during the upcoming10th National Games in the province next month.
The additional services will commence from December 1, with the company scheduling twice daily flights in the morning and afternoon via the company's ATR72 aircraft.
Vice President of Lao Airlines Mr Sengpraseuth Mathouchanh revealed the extra flights would be scheduled at a ceremony to welcome the company's latest ATR 72-600 aircraft recently.
Mr Sengpraseuth told Vientiane Times at the ceremony that the purchase of additional ATR72-600 propeller aircraft aims to serve the expansion of flights on both domestic and international routes. The vice president said normally Lao Airlines flies every day to Oudomxay from the capital but they have planned to add more flights to cater to the increasing numbers of foreign and local passengers wanting to go there.
A representative from Lao Airlines recentl y visited the province to offer the company's support to games organisers, handing over 50 million kip in cash and 68.8 million kip worth of round trip tickets.
In preparation for the coming of the 10th games, the government has improved the Oudomxay airport to ensure better facilities and the safety of the extra foreign and local passengers who are expected to visit.
The project, costing over 2.4 billion kip, was undertaken to improve the terminal, fire fighting facilities, parking area and the electrical systems. The enhanced airport can now handle two ATR aircrafts at the same time.
According to the provincial Department of Information, Culture and Tourism, there were almost 167,500 tourists visiting the province in 2012-13, including more than 95,000 foreign visitors. These figures increased to 177,500 in 2013-2014 including some 100,000 foreign visitors.
Officials predict that in 2014-2015, there will be more than 225,000 tourists visiting the province, due to the opening of new tourism sites and the hosting of the 10th National Games, according to Ms Davone, an officer from the department.
More than 5,000 athletes from five ministries and 18 provinces are set to attend the 10th games. The games shall include 25 sporting disciplines, with some 328 gold medals, 328 silver medals and 440 bronze medals up for grabs.
There are 21 hotels, 42 guesthouses and 21 schools ready to accommodate athletes and guests set to visit Oudomxay during the games.
Besides Lao Airlines, Lao Skyway also offers services three days a week.
vientiane times
