Lao Airlines (QV, Vientiane) plans to induct its first C909 regional jet imminently, with delivery expected by the end of March 2025, a spokesperson confirmed to the Reuters news agency. This follows a delegation of the airline's staff visiting COMAC facilities in China for training.
The airline also published a social media post featuring a vague silhouette of the C909, promising that "a new era in Lao aviation is just around the corner."
No further details were available regarding the number of C909s Lao Airlines was planning to add or the airline's business plan for the type. It did not respond to ch-aviation's request for comment.
If confirmed, the delivery of the C909 would make Lao Airlines only the second operator of the type outside China. Indonesia's TransNusa currently operates three units of the type (with 27 more due). The type is also in service with eight commercial operators in China, the largest being Air China with 34 in its fleet. VietJetAir planned to wet-lease two C909s earlier this year, but the plan has so far not materialised due to the lack of necessary approvals, which are currently under consideration by the Vietnamese government.
Lao Airlines currently operates four A320-200s, four ATR72-500s, three ATR72-600s, and one MA-60 wet-leased from Lao Skyway.
Laos is heavily economically dependent on China and has close political ties to Beijing. In 2024, Bloomberg reported that China held over half of Laos' USD10.5 billion external debt.
