Southeast Asia Information Port News (www.dnyxxg.com) – Lao Airlines officially launched a direct flight route between Vientiane and Zhanjiang, China, establishing another important transportation link between Laos and southern China. The inaugural flight, QV863, operated by an Airbus A320, landed smoothly at Zhanjiang Wuchuan International Airport on Tuesday evening. The airport welcomed the flight with a traditional water salute, celebrating the airport's first international route since its relocation in 2022.
The route will operate three times a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The new route will significantly shorten international travel time and reduce travel costs for residents of western Guangdong – previously, residents of western Guangdong had to rely on major hub airports such as Guangzhou and Shenzhen to reach international destinations, limiting travel convenience.
The launch of this direct flight coincides with the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Laos, carrying significant strategic importance. As a core hub of the China-Laos Railway, Vientiane will benefit from this route's synergistic effect with the railway, further improving the connectivity network between the two countries. Officials from the Zhanjiang local government and airport stated that the opening of the Vientiane direct flight is a crucial step in expanding direct flight routes to Southeast Asia for western Guangdong. They will continue to promote the opening of direct flights to Southeast Asian destinations such as Vietnam and Thailand, helping western Guangdong to deeply integrate into regional cooperation.
Zhanjiang, located on the southern coast of China, is an important trade and industrial gateway for South China. The opening of the Vientiane direct flight will not only revitalize the tourism market in both regions and enhance friendly exchanges, but also bring new cooperation opportunities in areas such as cross-border investment, industrial collaboration, and logistics within the framework of China-ASEAN cooperation, contributing to the coordinated development of the regional economy.
The opening of the new route is also an important measure for Lao Airlines to continuously expand its international market. As the national airline of Laos, its scheduled flight network currently covers at least 10 international destinations and 7 cities within Laos, supplemented by charter flights to countries such as China and South Korea; its regular international routes connect South Korea, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and multiple cities in China, building a relatively comprehensive regional aviation network.
According to available information, Lao Airlines was established in 1976 and has grown into a major regional airline after decades of development. It currently has interline and code-sharing partnerships with more than 30 airlines worldwide. This foray into the western Guangdong market aligns with the company's development strategy of expanding its partnerships and increasing its regional influence. Recently, Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (COMAC) has also expressed its intention to cooperate with Lao Airlines, hoping to further expand its business footprint in the Southeast Asian market through this collaboration.
