Cambodia Travel News

LAO AVIATION READY TO FLY PAKSE - SIEMREAP ROUTE

Lao Aviation plans a new service between Pakse in Champassak province and Siem Reap, home of the famous Angkor Wat, according to Vilakan Malavan, its marketing manager.

"We want to commence the services as soon as possible, but have to wait for the new terminal at Pakse airport to open", said Mr. Vilakan.

The airport terminal was due to be ready this May but has now been delayed to November. The airline plans to fly twice weekly between Pakse and Siem Reap, using ATR aircraft with 70 seats. Flight time is 45 minutes and the proposed one-way airfare will be between USD 70-80.

"Once these flights start, we can support the three-country Suwannaphumi campaign," he said. Visitors traveling from Laos to Siemreap must cross the border at Chong Mek. Once the Siemreap flights start, Pakse will become a secondary gateway to explore Laos and combine the tour with a trip to Cambodia.

The airline has scheduled 10 flights a week between Pakse and Vientiane and three daily services from Vientiane to Luang Prabang for the winter season, using ATR aircraft. Laos intends to expand the airport eventually to accommodate larger Fokker jet aircraft.

"We are modifying facilities and equipment at the airport to upgrade it to a customs airport and hope to have visa-on-arrival status soon." Mr. Vilakan said.

The airline also wants to connect Pakse with Bangkok and Pattaya to serve both Lao and foreign visitors.