Lao Airlines

Lao Airlines State Enterprise[2] is the flag carrier of Laos, headquartered in Vientiane. It operates domestic and international services to countries such as Cambodia, China, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. Its main operating base is Wattay International Airport in Vientiane.[3] It is owned by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport.[2]

History

In September 1976, the company was formed from the merger of two existing airlines, Royal Air Lao and Lao Air Lines.[4] The company became Lao Aviation in 1979. It operated a fleet of western aircraft and helicopters until re-equiping with Soviet and Chinese aircraft in the 1980s.

Accidents and incidents

On 1 September 1979, a Lao Aviation Antonov An-26 (registration RDPL-34037) force-landed in a corn field at Ban Mai, Thailand, due to fuel exhaustion after the pilot became disorientated in heavy rain; all 74 passengers and crew survived, but the aircraft was substantially damaged; the aircraft was repaired and flown back to Vientiane on 31 January 1980 where it was written off after crashing on landing.[17][18]

On 22 April 1990, a Lao Aviation Antonov An-24RV (registration RDPL-34008) overshot the runway at Luang Namtha Airport after an aborted takeoff; the aircraft collided with a building, killing one; all three on the aircraft survived.[19]

On 13 December 1993, a Lao Aviation Harbin Y-12-II (registration RDPL-34117) crashed on approach to Phonesavanh Airport after clipping trees in fog, killing all 18 on board.[20]

On 25 May 1998, a Lao Aviation Yakovlev Yak-40 (registration RDPL-34001) crashed in the jungle in heavy rain near Long Tieng, Xiangkhouang Province, killing all 26 on board. The aircraft was carrying a Vietnamese military delegation from Vientiane to Xiangkhouang.[21]

On 19 October 2000, Lao Aviation Flight 703, a Harbin Y-12-II (registration RDPL-34130), crashed into mountainous terrain in bad weather while on approach to Sam Neua Airport en route from Vientiane; eight of 17 on board died.[22]

On 14 February 2002, Flight 702,[23] a Harbin Y-12-II (registration RDPL-34118) crashed on the runway while taking off from Sam Neua Airport due to a wind gust; all 15 on board survived, but the aircraft was written off; the engines were sent to Singapore to be rebuilt, the fuselage was cut up and sent to Vietnam for scrap metal.[24]

On 16 October 2013, Flight 301, an ATR 72-600 (registration RDPL-34233) twin turboprop carrying 44 passengers and five crew, crashed into the Mekong River, at about 16:00 local time; all 49 on board died. The aircraft was flying from Vientiane to Pakse in Champasak Province in southern Laos, and was attempting to land in bad weather associated with Typhoon Nari.[25][26]

airline	Lao Airlines ການບິນລາວ
fleet size	13
destinations	21‡R1R‡
iata	QV
icao	LAO
callsign	LAO
founded	January 10, 1976 (as Civil Aviation Company)
commenced	1989 (as Lao Aviation since 1979)
headquarters	Vientiane, Laos
key people	Saleum Tayarath (Acting Managing Director)
hubs	Vientiane Luang Prabang
focus cities	Pakse
frequent flyer	Champa Muang Lao
website	www.laoairlines.com
num employees	1,000

History

Destinations

Codeshare agreements

Interline agreements

Fleet

Former fleet

Livery

Accidents and incidents

External links

References