Lao Airlines, Laos’ national carrier, has reintroduced direct flight services between Vientiane, the capital of Laos, and Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital, with flights scheduled for three days a week: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The inaugural flight in this renewed service landed at Phnom Penh International Airport on March 19, carrying 116 passengers and receiving a warm ceremonial welcome led by Hul Seila, Undersecretary of State of the Ministry of Tourism, complete with traditional Khmer scarfs and flowers for the arrivals.
Flights on this route will be serviced by either an Airbus A320 or an ATR 72, departing Vientiane at 8:35 AM and arriving in Phnom Penh by 9:50 AM. This connection is aimed at fostering tourism and business exchanges between the two cities, enhancing cultural and economic ties.
Sin Chansereyvutha, Under-Secretary of State of the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA), remarked on the significance of the flight resumption as a boost for both tourism and business, emphasizing its role in strengthening the bond between the people of Laos and Cambodia.
Cambodia Airports, overseeing operations at Phnom Penh International Airport, expressed enthusiasm for the reestablished route, highlighting the ease and convenience it brings to travelers between the two capitals. The return of Lao Airlines to Phnom Penh was celebrated with a special mention on Cambodia Airports’ Facebook page, noting the arrival of a flight with 150 passengers.
Historically, Lao Airlines operated direct flights on this route from the 1980s until the mid-2000s, when the service was suspended due to market dynamics. For a period, connectivity between the two cities was maintained through a codeshare agreement with Vietnam Airlines.
In addition to this route, Lao Airlines currently offers direct flights connecting Luang Prabang, Pakse, and Siem Reap three times a week, utilizing ATR 72 aircraft. Plans are also underway to explore a new route to Sihanoukville, Cambodia’s coastal province, aiming to expand the airline’s footprint in Cambodia.
According to a report from Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism, Laos emerged as the fourth largest source of international tourists to Cambodia in 2023, with over 372,285 visitors, marking a substantial 302 percent increase from the previous year’s 92,609 visitors. This growth underscores the strengthening tourism relations between the two nations and the potential for further collaborative ventures.
