SilkAir returns to Laos
SilkAir returns to Laos
SilkAir, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, has finally returned to landing in Vientiane once again, after the airline first flew to Laos' capital for a period of three years starting from 1995.
The SilkAir inaugural flight departed Monday afternoon from Changi International Airport, arriving in Vientiane at 3.15 pm, and then departing at 4.05pm to Luang Prabang International Airport, before returning to Singapore in the evening.
Silk Air becomes the 11th foreign airline to launch its services in Laos.
Once the flights start, SilkAir and its parent airline, Singapore Airlines, will together fly to all 10 countries in Asean and 51 destinations in 14 countries in the Asia Pacific.
SilkAir will offer three weekly flights on Monday, Thursday and Saturday to the two destinations on a circular routing.
Flights from Singapore will make a stop in Vientiane and then continue to Luang Prabang, before heading back directly to Singapore.
The new services will be operated with SilkAir's Airbus A320 aircraft, configured with both business and economy class cabins.
Laos offers much potential for the interna tional traveler, with enticing destinations like Luang Prabang and Vat Phu, that are both UNESCO World Heritage sites, as well as beautiful untouched natural attractions, said SilkAir Chief Executive, Mr Foo Chai Woo.
He pointed out the potential growth in the airline business in Laos, whi ch is attracting greater interest among visitors from Singapore and around the world.
As regards further growth, SilkAir is committed to catering to the demand for travel between Laos and Singapore to connect travellers within Singapore Airlines group's vast global network which covers more than 100 international destinations.
Mr Foo Chai Woo stressed that they are expanding the SilkAir network in the region with a partnership philosophy and recognise the need for strong cooperation with industry partners to develop air travel and also airfreight services.
SilkAir looks forward to cooperating in partnership with airlines in the development of Laos' air t ravel and encouraging its tourism industry.
According to a statistical report from the Tourism Development Department, Singapore tourist arrivals to Laos numbered 8,258 in 2015 w hile the largest number of visitors were from Asean countries, with a combined total of more than 3.5 million.
International tourists are considered the most important market for Lao tourism, with international arrivals rising from 568,884 in 2014 to 643,062 in 2015, an increase of 13 percent.
