by News Desk

VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/ANN) - The start of charter flights between Hangzhou in Zhejiang province, China, and Vientiane is expected to spark greater cooperation in tourism, trading and investment between Laos and China.

A ceremony to inaugurate the new flight took place last week in Hangzhou.

The event was attended by the Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Ounthouang Khaophanh; Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment, Ms Khamchan Vongseneboun; Deputy Minister of Post and Telecommunications, Mr Bounsaleumxay Khennavong; senior officials from Hangzhou’s People’s Council, representatives of China’s international trade chamber, and government officials from Laos and China.

The Hangzhou to Vientiane charter flight QV852 will be operated by Lao Airlines once a week on Wednesdays, under a contract with the Baozhen Choucheng Airlines Service Company.

Lao officials expect the new air route to strengthen tourism, trading and investment in both countries and to serve the influx of Chinese visitors and other passengers during Visit Laos-China Year 2019.

China is a hugely important tourism market for Laos. Last year, 799,929 Chinese tourists came to Laos, an increase of 25 percent compared to 2017.

The first six months of this year saw a further increase of 13 percent compared to the same period last year and it is expected that the target figure of one million Chinese visitors will be achieved this year.

Lao Airlines has direct flights to six Asian countries, namely China, Cambodia, Vietnam, Singapore, the Republic of Korea and Thailand.

Foreign airlines providing flights in and out of Laos include AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, China Southern, China Eastern, Jin Air, Thai Airways, Vietnam Airlines and Scoot Airlines.