Lanexang Airways International (5A, Vientiane) has inked an agreement with the Lao Development Bank to provide funding of USD15 million, giving the privately-owned carrier a pool of liquidity to develop new routes and start looking for additional aircraft.
A press statement from the airline, published in the Vientiane Times on February 7, says the deal had recently been signed between the bank, which is a joint venture between Chaleun Sekong Energy (70%) and the Laotian Ministry of Finance (30%), and the airline which only launched in early 2024.
"This funding will help the airline develop new routes and provide high-quality services at a reasonable cost for the premium low-cost airline market in Laos and Southeast Asia," the statement reads. "These efforts will also support tourism and the Lao economy and help Lanexang Airways International emerge as a leading airline in the region."
Lanexang Airways International operates two ATR72-500s to six airports around Laos, namely Luang Prabang, Vientiane, Muang Ton Pheung, Pakse, Sam Neua, and Savannakhet. It plans to increase its fleet of ATR - Avions de Transport Régional turboprops to five later this year and add two unspecified types of Airbus aircraft.
ch-aviation has contacted the carrier for further details on its future fleet.
According to the ch-aviation PRO airlines module, there are three active scheduled passenger operators based in Laos. Aside from Lanexang Airways International, the larger state-owned Lao Airlines (QV, Vientiane) operates 12 aircraft to 21 airports in six countries, while Lao Skyway (LK, Vientiane) has five aircraft and flies to 11 airports throughout Laos.
