Laos suspends scheduled domestic operations

Lao Airlines and Lao Skyway have suspended all domestic flights from Vientiane to the provinces until further notice as COVID-19 cases hit a new high in the capital city. The suspension of domestic flights became effective on September 20, 2021. This followed a government-imposed lockdown from September 20 until September 30 after a spike in the dreaded Delta variant of the disease was reported on September 18 involving factories in Vientiane. Destinations affected and served by both airlines include Luang Namtha, Luang Prabang, Oudomxay, and Pakse, as well as Lao Airlines' flights to Savannakhet and Lao Skyway's rotations to Phongsaly, Sam Neua, and Xieng Khouang. Lao Airlines said its ticketing and reservation offices would be closed during this period but its call centre and official WhatsApp contact line remained open, according to announcements on its social media pages. Lao Skyway carried the government lockdown notification on its website but made no further announcement.<br/>