Latest news with #LaoAirlines
South China Morning Post
a day ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
China steps up global aviation expansion as Comac bids for Laos carrier
The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) has reportedly bid to take a majority stake in the flag carrier of Laos, as the state-owned Chinese aviation firm continues its push to expand its market in Southeast Asia. Advertisement The deal – which is pending approval by the Lao authorities – would see Comac help Lao Airlines overhaul its operations and stem its losses in exchange for the carrier agreeing to use the Chinese company's passenger jets, Vientiane Times quoted Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone as saying on Monday. Comac and Lao Airlines already signed a memorandum of understanding on a potential deal in October 2024, and an independent auditing firm has been hired to value Lao Airlines and examine its liabilities. The Lao carrier also recently acquired its first C909 jet – a narrowbody Comac model for regional routes – through a lease agreement. The jet is now flying key domestic routes in Laos, with plans being made for it to begin flying on international routes between Laos and China. The Lao government is 'considering Comac's proposal on a comprehensive joint venture, particularly its proposal to hold at least a 51 per cent stake', Prime Minister Siphandone told the Lao National Assembly. Advertisement The bid is just the latest move by Comac to expand its presence in Southeast Asia, as the Chinese firm strives to prove the reliability of its planes to Western regulators and ultimately position itself to compete with Airbus and Boeing in the international market. Brian Yang Bo, an aviation industry veteran and consultant, said the Laos deal mirrored the strategy Comac used when selling its C909 jets to TransNusa – a budget airline in Indonesia.
The Star
4 days ago
- Business
- The Star
China Aircraft Corporation requests majority stake in Lao Airlines as govt seeks partnership
Lao Airlines inaugural COMAC C909 Commercial flight at Pakse international Airport 12 Apr 2025. - Lao Airlines via Vientiane Times/ANN VIENTIANE: The Lao government is considering a proposal made by Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (COMAC) to purchase a majority stake in Lao Airlines, the national flag carrier. It comes as the government is seeking to reform key state enterprises in a bid to improve their operation after years of sustained losses. Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone told the National Assembly (NA) on Monday (June 9) that Lao Airlines is one of four key state enterprises that are undergoing reform. The other three are Electricite Du Laos, the Lao State Fuel Company and the Nayobay bank. The government is 'considering the proposal of COMAC on a comprehensive venture, particularly its proposal to hold at least a 51 per cent stake,' the PM told members of the NA's 9th legislature at its ongoing 9th Ordinary Session. The Shanghai-headquartered aircraft manufacturer and Lao Airlines signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the joint venture in October 2024. An independent auditing firm is currently carrying out an audit to determine the total value of Lao Airlines' assets. As part of the partnership negotiation, COMAC asked to exclude Lao Airlines' existing debts from the venture deal. NA member for Vientiane, Valy Vetsaphong, disagreed with the request to remove the airline's debt from the deal, saying that if it is cut out Laos would do better to employ more competent executives or a CEO to manage the operation of Lao Airlines instead of selling a majority stake in the company. No party, she added, should be allowed to interfere with the airline's operation or ask it to subsidise in any form. She also disagreed with the idea of allowing a foreign entity to hold a majority stake given that Lao Airlines is of strategic importance. But another NA member supported the idea of selling off a larger stake within a certain timeframe to be specified in a joint venture agreement, after which Laos should be entitled to purchase sufficient shares to hold the majority stake. This process would also enable the transfer of know-how. PM Sonexay said the Chinese company has also asked that Lao Airlines use COMAC-made planes for commercial flights, a move already undertaken by Lao Airlines with the addition of a COMAC C909 jet to its fleet in April this year. Acquired through a lease agreement with COMAC, the aircraft, configured with 90 economy class seats, has been deployed on key domestic routes, including services between Vientiane and Pakxe, as well as between Vientiane and Savannakhet. Plans are in place to expand operations to additional destinations, particularly in China, according to Lao Airlines. The Chinese manufacturer is also providing comprehensive support services to ensure that operational standards meet stringent international safety regulations. Lao Airlines' network of scheduled flights extends to at least ten international destinations and seven locations within Laos. This is complemented by charter flights to destinations in countries like China and South Korea. Founded in 1976, the Lao national flag carrier also has interline and codeshare partnerships with over 30 airlines globally. COMAC's requested partnership with Lao Airlines is part of its broader expanding presence in South-East Asia. - Vientiane Times/ANN
South China Morning Post
31-03-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Lao Airlines cruising to first C909 – a milestone for the China-made aircraft
Southeast Asia's only landlocked country, sharing a border with China and four other nations, expects to see its flagship airline add a China-made C909 aircraft to its fleet, joining a growing group of regional clients with access to Chinese passenger aircraft. Advertisement Lao Airlines, which operates routes around Asia, is completing a series of tasks with the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac) in preparation for the lease, Comac said via its news channel on Sunday. Lao Airlines' plan also serves to elevate the Chinese manufacturer as it seeks to spread its wings abroad – starting with Southeast Asian countries, as most others have not certified Comac's planes – according to analysts. 'Some of these are to countries that have ties with China. And more importantly, Comac, over time, will demonstrate its capabilities as a major aircraft manufacturer,' said Mayur Patel, Asia head with British aviation intelligence firm OAG. The C909, formerly the ARJ21 , is built for 78 to 97 seats and relatively short flights of 2,225 to 3,700km (1,382-2,299 miles). Comac began developing the planes in 2002, and Chengdu Airlines began operating them in 2015. Advertisement The plane that is due to operate in Laos will have 90 seats, Comac said. It posted photos of the jet parked in Shanghai with the airlines' branding on the cabin exterior.
Reuters
30-03-2025
- Business
- Reuters
China's COMAC delivers first C909 jet to Lao Airlines
BEIJING, March 30 (Reuters) - China's state-owned plane maker COMAC has delivered its first C909 regional jet to Lao Airlines, the company said in a statement on Sunday. The aircraft was delivered on a lease and will be put into service after a series of preparations in Laos, COMAC said.
Reuters
26-03-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Lao Airlines to start operating a C909 jet as China's COMAC expands internationally
SEOUL, March 26 (Reuters) - Government-owned Lao Airlines is set to start operating COMAC's C909 regional jet, a spokesperson for the country's flag carrier said, joining several other Southeast Asian nations preparing to add Chinese-made commercial aircraft to their fleets. A group of Lao Airlines staff was at COMAC's Customer Training Centre in Shanghai this week for training on COMAC planes, photos shared on social media by several employees showed. A spokesperson for Vientiane-based Lao Airlines confirmed the training and said the airline was expecting to get one C909 around the end of March. Other social media postings indicate staff from Laos' civil aviation regulator also attended training there this month. Laos' Department of Civil Aviation (DCAL) did not respond to a request for comment on the training or certification of the C909 in Laos. COMAC did not respond to a request for comment. The state-owned Chinese planemaker has since the start of last year stepped up marketing to regulators and airlines as it seeks to compete internationally with rivals Airbus ( opens new tab, Boeing (BA.N), opens new tab and Embraer ( opens new tab and ramps up production of the C909 and its larger C919 narrowbody jet. COMAC's C909, previously branded as the ARJ21, is a regional jet that seats up to 90 people and is China's first jet-powered plane to reach commercial production. It entered service in 2016. The C909 is not as high-profile as COMAC's more advanced C919, but its introduction in Laos would allow the planemaker to gain a foothold in another country and boost its visibility outside China. Vietnamese budget carrier VietJet ( opens new tab has agreed to lease two C909s from China's Chengdu Airlines and is waiting for Vietnam's regulator to authorise the use of Chinese-manufactured planes in the country. Laos already operates small Chinese-made Xian MA60 turboprop planes. A 2010 memorandum of understanding between the Chinese and Lao aviation regulators shows that Laos recognises China's aircraft design certifications - avoiding the step Vietnam's regulator needs to take. Indonesia is the only country outside China operating COMAC planes, through Indonesian carrier TransNusa, which flies C909s. Brunei-based startup GallopAir in 2023 ordered 15 C909s and 15 C919s, in the first non-Chinese C919 order, but has yet to receive authorisation for the C909s from the country's aviation regulator. In January, the airline chartered a China Southern Airlines ( opens new tab C909 to Brunei as trial.
