Vientiane-Attapeu-Pakxe flights take off

The inaugural flight was officially launched on Saturday (April 9) at Attapeu International Airport, attended by Deputy Minister of Public Works and Transport Vilaykham Phosalath, Attapeu provincial authorities; information, culture and tourism sector officials along with travel agents and company staff.

 

Lao Airlines had planned to commence flights to Attapeu on various occasions but the flights were cancelled according to the company officials.

 

The new flights run every Tuesday and Saturday, departing from Vientiane at 8am, arriving in Attapeu province at 9:45am, departing Attapeu province at 10:30am, arriving in Pakxe at 11am and then departing Pakxe at 11:40am before arriving back in Vientiane at 12:55pm.

 

The new flights will help facilitate travel in Laos especially for Attapeu province, vice president of Lao Airlines Sengpraseuth Mathouchanh said at the official launch ceremony.

 

“It will be also bring more visitors to Attapeu province as well as investors that will help contribute to economic development in the future,” he said.

 

Attapau is a southern province of the country, which comprises rich natural resources, interesting traditions and many existing natural and historic tourism sites.

 

The economy of the province is expanding well, drawing the interest of domestic and foreign business operators.

 

After the launch ceremony, officials visited the provincial museum and prayed at Vat Pha Xaysettha.

 

Lao President Choummaly Sayasone and Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang opened the new Attapeu International Airport on May 30 last year.

 

At present it takes one and a half days by bus from Vientiane to Attapeu but the flight takes 1 hour and 45 minutes.

 

The new flight has been added to Lao Airlines’ domestic routes with the aim of boosting investment and trade, especially as Attapeu is developing commercially due to its shared border with Vietnam.

 

The airport is fully equipped to accommodate domestic and international flights. The runway is 1,850m long and 30m wide and can accommodate aircraft that have 70 to 100 seats.

 

It is expected the airport will help spur socio-economic development in the area by attracting investment and boosting tourism, as it will link Attapeu to other regions through public transport and air freight services.