COMAC Delivers First China-Made C909 Aircraft to Lao Airlines
The Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) has announced the delivery of the first C909 aircraft to Lao Airlines on March 30, 2025. This marks a significant milestone as the first China-made passenger jet enters the Lao market, marking an important step in the international expansion of China’s commercial aircraft industry. The C909 aircraft, registered as RDPL-34229, is a regional turbofan jet developed entirely by China. It has been leased to Lao Airlines and is set to begin operations once necessary preparations are completed in Laos.
The C909 aircraft features a 90-seat all-economy class configuration, with its interior and exterior identifications and placards displayed in Laotian. The aircraft’s exterior paint has been custom-designed, with the tail adorned with the Champa flower, which is the national flower of Laos and also the logo of Lao Airlines. The C909 is capable of covering a range of up to 3,700 kilometers (2,300 miles), making it suitable for most domestic routes within Laos and for nearby international destinations.
Lao Airlines has stated that the C909 will initially serve domestic routes, with plans to expand into international markets in the future. The aircraft received an Aircraft Type Acceptance Certificate (ATC) from the Civil Aviation Authority of Laos on March 18, 2025, enabling it to begin service. COMAC has set up a dedicated team to assist Lao Airlines with all the preparatory tasks, including manual preparation, personnel training, aviation material support, and maintenance capacity building. To ensure safe and efficient operations, COMAC has also dispatched a team of professionals from various departments, including flight operations, cabin crew, and maintenance.
Lao Airlines is in the process of expanding its fleet and increasing its capacity to meet the growing demands of Laos’ air travel market. By leasing the C909 aircraft, the airline aims to supplement its fleet and upgrade its operations to accommodate the increasing demand for air travel in the region.
The C909 aircraft is expected to be ferried to Wattay International Airport (VTE) in Vientiane, the capital city of Laos, on March 31, 2025. As of now, COMAC has delivered 162 C909 aircraft, which are serving 645 routes across 158 cities, transporting over 20 million passengers. The delivery of the C909 to Lao Airlines marks an important achievement for both the airline and COMAC as they expand the reach of China-made aircraft in the global aviation market.
Related News : https://suspicious-zhukovsky.67-21-117-18.plesk.page/?s=Lao+Airlines