LAO Airlines plans to start Vientiane-Luang Prabang-Yangon services, as part of efforts to clinch the international market’s growing interest in Myanmar.
Said Lao Airlines’ director of commercial department, Saleum Tayarath, who expects the service to launch in October: “We are in the process of forming an interline agreement with Myanmar Airways International, and aim to launch a codeshare agreement at a later stage.
“We have also been talking to tour operators to develop packages between the two countries.”
Private carrier Lao Central Airlines plans to fly between Vientiane and Yangon too, according to Ket Thipphachanh, managing director, Visit Asia Travel Laos.
Ket said: “We are excited that there will be two airlines connecting Laos and Myanmar. The direct service will help us capture the longhaul market better.
“As a country in the middle of the Mekong Subregion, we are lucky to get our (arrivals) from our booming neighbours. Our longhaul market initially came via Thailand, then Vietnam. And now Myanmar is growing, so we hope to capture some market from there too.”
Also anticipating the new air links is Austria’s Columbus Travel exclusive individual and group director, Maria-Luise Wess: “This will make it easier for clients (to combine both countries), otherwise they need to go back to Bangkok from Myanmar to connect to Luang Prabang, which means losing one day.
“Myanmar and Laos will make a good combination as both are (emerging) destinations.”
– Read more in TTG Show Daily – ITB Berlin
