Lao Airlines orders ATR 72-500

The Laos flag carrier, Lao Airlines, has ordered a new ATR 72-500. This aircraft is the first ‘-500 series’ ATR for the airline, which already operates two ATR 72-200.

This new 70-seat ATR will be equipped with the “Elegance” cabin, new PW 127M engines and Light Emitting Diode (LED). The aircraft will be also equipped with state-of-the-art technological innovations in passenger comfort, communications and navigation aid tools. The aircraft will be delivered in 2009.

Commenting on the deal, Dr. Somphone Douangdara, Lao Airlines CEO, said, “Following the success of the operations with our two first ATRs, we are pleased to augment our fleet with the well known advantages of the ‘-500’ ATRs, such as enhanced comfort and the lowest operating cost per seat. With our brand new aircraft we will increase the total capacity of our fleet, in order to face the development of our network and the launch new routes.”

“The ease of maintenance of the ATRs is also an important point in our decision to add another ATR 72 to our fleet.”

Lao Airlines, based in Vientiane, was established and started operations in September 1976 as Lao Aviation. The name was changed to Lao Airlines in early 2003. It is wholly owned by the Government of Laos and operates domestic services to ten destinations and international services to Cambodia, China, Thailand and Vietnam.

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