I'm planning to spend a couple of weeks in Laos in November
or December but have heard that some of the western
consulates have advised their embassy people to avoid the
internal flights for safety reasons. Does any one have any
information on this or has anyone had any experience flying
the Laotian airline? Are you really taking your life in your
hands if you fly
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Warnings about Lao Aviation have been out for well over a
year. The US State Dept was one of them. I believe the
Autralian Embassy in Bangkok was another. I seem to recall
that their joint venture partner was some scary carrier
like China Southern. The last time i was in one of their
planes the interior looked like it had been neglected for
years. Governments are usually conservative in their
warnings, although they usually are responding to at least
some real problem. Given the limited options, I might fly
Lao again but I wouldn't be anxious to do so.
2 planes fell down last year. Make any speculations: old
planes, no maintenace makes a good cocktail..
Take Care (of You)
Laos Aviation has no radar. They rely on visual flying
techniques ie gap in cloud - can see runway - try to land
or no gap in cloud - can't see mountain - splat.
Rumour has it that the UN only flies on Monday as this is
the only aircraft that is maintained.
we very nearly missed the runway because of the lack-of-
properly-functioning-equipment factor. Your life is worth
an extra couple of hundred bucks to fly a safe airline.
Better yet, stay on the ground and take a train or bus
(it's not such a far fall that way)