Hospitality & Tourism

Lao Airlines Halts Direct Flights Between Phnom Penh And Vientiane After Three Months

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Lao Airlines Halts Direct Flights Between Phnom Penh And Vientiane After Three Months
Lao Airlines Halts Direct Flights Between Phnom Penh And Vientiane After Three Months./Image source: Skytrack

Lao Airlines has decided to cease direct flights between Phnom Penh and Vientiane on June 18, 2024, only three months after flights resumed post-pandemic in March 2024. Media reports say the decision was made due to high cost and slower than expected demand.

Lao Airlines was operating flights from the Laotian capital to Phnom Penh on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, while connecting to Bangkok, Hanoi, & Incheon on a daily basis, according to the company’s website. 

The Laotian Times reported that June 15 (Saturday) would be the last day of direct flights between Vientiane and Phnom Penh (VTE-PNH) operated by Lao Airlines. In response to a query from B2B Cambodia, Lao Airlines also confirmed that it would cease all flights on this route from June 18, 2024 (Tuesday) onwards, citing “commercial reasons”. 

Lao Airlines Halts Direct Flights Between Phnom Penh And Vientiane After Three Months./Image source: Skytrack

Low demand for travel between Cambodia and Laos was cited as a possible reason for the cancellation of the direct flights by the Laotian Times, attributing this speculation to tourism experts.

Direct flights on the Vientiane-Phnom Penh route were previously in operation from the 1980s until the mid-2000s before being temporarily suspended due to market conditions.

Some travelers online have pointed to the high cost of Lao Airlines direct flights to Cambodia, especially compared to flights from Phnom Penh to Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh, or the cost of the bus fare from Phnom Penh to Vientiane. Others also suggested that taking a connecting flight to Ho Chi Minh or Bangkok first before flying to Vientiane was a cheaper option.

In 2023, the Tourism Ministry of Cambodia reported 372,285 people visited Cambodia from Laos.

Cambodia Looking To Grow Direct Air Routes

In May 2024, AirAsia launched domestic flights within Cambodia, and international flight routes from Cambodia via Emirates Airlines also resumed that same month. A new direct flight between Cambodia (Phnom Penh) and India (New Delhi) was also officially launched by Cambodia Angkor Air on June 16, 2024.

Currently, there are direct flights to Phnom Penh from cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Seoul, Bangkok, Vientiane, Ho Chi Minh City, and various cities across China.

Siem Reap also offers direct flights to and from Singapore, Bangkok, and Ho Chi Minh City among others in the region.

Cambodia is reportedly also looking to establish direct international air routes with Türkiye, Australia and Russia.

Read More On Cambodia Air Travel