Press release -
SilkAir to codeshare with Lao Airlines
SilkAir, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, has signed a codeshare agreement with Lao Airlines for its flights to Vientiane and Luang Prabang, providing SilkAir and Lao Airlines customers more options when travelling to and from Singapore and Laos. From 31 October 2016, SilkAir will offer three weekly flights on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. With the new codeshare agreement in place, customers have a choice of six weekly flights to Laos shared between both airlines.
SilkAir flights will operate in a circular routing and will depart from Singapore for Vientiane, followed by Luang Prabang, before heading back to Singapore. This new service will connect Laos with the joint Singapore Airlines – SilkAir network of over 100 cities worldwide via the Singapore Changi Airport hub.
Under the agreement which takes effect on 1 September 2016 (subject to regulatory approval), SilkAir will add its ‘MI’ designator code to selected Lao Airlines-operated flights between Singapore, Vientiane and Luang Prabang. On a reciprocal basis, Lao Airlines will add its ‘QV’ designator code to selected SilkAir-operated flights between Singapore, Vientiane and Luang Prabang when flights commence on 31 October 2016.
A signing ceremony was held today at Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR), with Vice-President Commercial, Mr. Ryan Pua, representing SilkAir and Vice President Planning & Co-operation, Mr. Sengpraseuth Mathouchanh, representing Lao Airlines. The signing was witnessed by Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan and Lao PDR’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Saleumxay Kommasith.
“We are delighted to seal this agreement, which will allow us to promote Laos as an emerging destination more effectively to our vast network. We hope the enhanced connectivity will bring about a greater flow of visitors between the countries,” said SilkAir’s Mr. Pua.
“The establishment of a codeshare cooperation between Lao Airlines and SilkAir will strengthen the relationship between Laos and Singapore as part of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). This cooperation will especially help to promote the tourist and investment activities among the two countries as well as ASEAN countries.” said Lao Airlines’ Mr. Mathouchanh.
Flights will be available for booking on a progressive basis through the SilkAir website, call centres and travel agents in the coming weeks. Details of the codeshare schedules can be found in Annex A.
Picture above: The codeshare agreement was signed by Mr. Ryan Pua (seated, left), Vice President Commercial, SilkAir and Mr. Sengpraseuth Mathouchanh (seated, right), Vice President Planning & Co-operation, Lao Airlines and witnessed by Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan and Lao PDR’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Saleumxay Kommasith. (Photo credit: Lao Airlines)
Annex A
MI flight schedule (with effect from 31 October 2016):
| Flight | Routing | Days of Operation | Departure | Arrival |
| MI788 | Singapore - Vientiane | Mon, Thu, Sat | Singapore 14:20 | Vientiane 16:15 |
| MI788 | Vientiane - Luang Prabang | Mon, Thu, Sat | Vientiane 17:05 | Luang Prabang 18:00 |
| MI788 | Luang Prabang - Singapore | Mon, Thu, Sat | Luang Prabang 18:50 | Singapore 23:05 |
| QV Operating Flight Number | MI Marketing Flight Number | Routing | Days of Operation |
| QV 535 | MI 5535 | Vientiane - Singapore | Wed, Fri, Sun |
| QV 536 | MI 5536 | Singapore - Vientiane | Wed, Fri, Sun |
| QV 535 | MI 5535 | Luang Prabang – Singapore (via Vientiane) | Wed, Fri, Sun |
| QV 536 | MI 5536 | Singapore - Luang Prabang (via Vientiane) | Wed, Fri, Sun |
| MI Operating Flight Number | QV Marketing Flight Number | Routing | Days of Operation |
| MI 788 | QV 4788 | Vientiane - Singapore (via Luang Prabang) | Mon, Thu, Sat |
| MI 788 | QV 4788 | Singapore- Vientiane | Mon, Thu, Sat |
| MI 788 | QV 4788 | Luang Prabang - Singapore | Mon, Thu, Sat |
| MI 788 | QV 4788 | Singapore - Luang Prabang (via Vientiane) | Mon, Thu, Sat |
Topics
- Corporate Information
About SilkAir
As the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, SilkAir operates the Singapore Airlines Group's narrowbody fleet and extends the Group network by seeding and developing new, exciting destinations in Asia Pacific.
The airline took to the skies in February 1989 as Tradewinds the Airline, before evolving into SilkAir in 1992. In its early days, the airline catered to passengers holidaying in exotic destinations in the region, including Phuket and Tioman. As the carrier developed, regional business destinations such as Phnom Penh, Yangon and Kuala Lumpur were added.
Today, the full service airline operates almost 400 weekly flights to 49 destinations in 13 countries. Recent additions to the network include Cairns (May 2015) and Male (Oct 2015). SilkAir’s network will increase to 52 destinations in 14 countries when Vientiane and Luang Prabang commence operations in October 2016 and Fuzhou in November 2016. The airline currently has a fleet of 31 aircraft, comprising 4 A319s and 11 A320s and 16 Boeing 737-800s. In August 2012, the airline announced the largest order in its history of up to 68 Boeing 737 aircraft, with firm orders comprising Boeing 737-800 and Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.
For more details visit silkair.com or http://www.facebook.com/SilkAir
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