Flight assignment: Russia and Laos discuss launching direct flights
Moscow and Vientiane are negotiating the resumption of direct flights, and a flight from Vladivostok is possible at the first stage, Russian Ambassador to Laos Sergey Hardy told Izvestia. In addition, the expansion of the acceptance of Mir cards is being discussed. Tourism from Russia to the republic remains a niche for now, but the flow is growing: the number of trips increased by 90% in the first half of the year. Package tours with Vietnam, Thailand or Cambodia are possible in the future. Experts believe that the countries also have the potential for industrial cooperation and interbank cooperation. The delegation of Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu, who recently visited Laos, included representatives of the Central Bank. The potential of a new destination for tourists from the Russian Federation is described in the Izvestia article.
How to fly from Russia to Laos and what to see there
Russia and Laos are discussing the resumption of direct flights, Russian Ambassador to the country Sergey Hard told Izvestia.
— There is a question of resuming direct flights. The Lao side also puts it up, and it is also important for us. It is necessary to find a suitable solution, taking into account the still insufficient tourist flow. At the first stage, it may be, for example, a flight from Vladivostok. It is necessary to assess passenger flows for the future, as well as technical capabilities," the diplomat stressed.
Direct flights between the two countries were quite small. In the late 2010s, Russian tour operators launched charter flights from Moscow and Irkutsk to Vientiane specifically to serve tourist groups. The flights were seasonal and erratic, and therefore soon stopped.
Now you can fly from Moscow to Laos with a transfer, for example, in China — Guangzhou, Shanghai or Beijing. The ticket price is about 50 thousand rubles one way without luggage. Thailand is also available as a stopover.
Sergey Hardy noted that among the options being considered for the resumption of flights is the involvement of Russian travel companies with their own fleets to organize package tours. Under this scheme, flights to Laos will be, in fact, transit, then passengers can go to Vietnam, Thailand or Cambodia.
— The main task, if we look at the future, is to popularize Laos as a tourist destination and, consequently, attract Lao tourists to Russia, — concluded the Ambassador of the Russian Federation.
Direct flights would significantly help in increasing the tourist flow, but their organization should be accompanied by a study of financial instruments for tourists and an extensive advertising campaign to ensure the sustainability of the tourist flow. Without appropriate demand, direct flights will very soon turn out to be unprofitable, Ekaterina Koldunova, director of the MGIMO ASEAN Center, tells Izvestia.
View of Vientiane City, Laos
By the way, there are prospects for increasing the trips of Russian tourists. In the first half of the year, the flow from Russia to Laos increased by 90% compared to last year, the Ministry of Economic Development said.
However, Laos is still a niche destination for the Russian market. There is interest in the country, and it is gradually growing, but so far it is not mass tourism, but the choice of experienced travelers who have already been to Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and are looking for more authentic routes, Maya Kotlyar, founder and CEO of MAYEL Travel, told Izvestia.
— There is no independent, steady tourist flow for the sake of Laos yet. The main reasons are the lack of sea, limited infrastructure and difficult logistics," the expert said.
Kotlyar believes that direct flights could significantly improve the situation, but would not turn Laos into a mass destination. Most likely, it would be another entry point for transit trips to neighboring countries.
— Transport accessibility is a key factor for the Russian tourist, and it is currently holding back demand. Moreover, the tourist infrastructure is less developed than in Thailand or Vietnam," the expert points out.
With the advent of direct flights, an increase in tourist traffic is possible due to combined routes, sightseeing and cultural tourism, travel for an experienced, watched audience. Tourists go there to see the rich culture and natural landscapes: Buddhist temples, the Mekong River, jungles and mountains.
Development of relations between Russia and Laos
However, tourism is only a part of the interaction between Moscow and Vientiane. Russia considers Laos as an important partner in Southeast Asia. Constant contacts are maintained at the highest level. The presidents of the two countries met at the BRICS summit in Kazan in 2024, and in July this year, Thonglong Sisulit visited Moscow. In addition, the Russian Federation attaches great importance to promoting the Russia–ASEAN strategic partnership.
Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu also visited Laos this December, and the parties discussed military cooperation. Shoigu also presented the Order of Alexander Nevsky to the President of the Republic for his "great personal contribution to strengthening friendly relations." He conveyed the best wishes of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Thonglun Sisulit and stated that he sees great prospects for expanding economic, military, cultural and scientific cooperation between the two countries. This was also demonstrated by the impressive composition of the Russian delegation: representatives of the Security Council, the Ministry of Defense, the Federal Customs Service, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Russian Guard, the Ministry of Justice, Rosfinmonitoring, Rosatom and the Central Bank of the Russian Federation.
Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu and Lao President Thonglong Sisulit during a meeting in Vientiane
Moscow and Vientiane have consistently removed obstacles to cooperation. For example, Russians in Laos have a visa-free regime for 30 days. Back in 2023, Lao banks began accepting Mir payment system cards. And now the financial structures of Russia and Laos are conducting new negotiations, the Russian ambassador to Vientiane told Izvestia.
— It's about expanding the application. This is a conversation about financial structures. Rather, it's about technology, extensive ATM networks, and the availability of opportunities for this," said Sergey Hardy.
This measure is not only beneficial for tourists, but will also strengthen trade and economic cooperation. Last year, trade between the two countries increased by 65%, and this year its growth rate was about 20%, Vladimir Putin said in July. The total volume of trade between Laos and Russia has exceeded $90 million, Prime Minister of the Republic Sonexai Siphandon said at the WEF.
Laos buys mechanical equipment, pulp, aircraft spare parts, plastics, nuclear-related products, and vehicles from Russia. Due to the growth of oncoming cargo flows, issues of expanding container shipping from Laos to Vladivostok through the ports of Vietnam are being considered. The possibility of organizing a freight railway service through China is also being studied. In addition, Russian companies are involved in the development of ferrous and precious metal deposits in Laos. In particular, they are considering the possibilities of cooperation in the development of bauxite deposits.
"Promising areas of cooperation also include the training of Lao personnel in Russia for various sectors of the economy, industrial cooperation, and interbank cooperation," Ekaterina Koldunova noted.
By the way, the education of students from the republic in Russia began in the Soviet period. In total, more than 8,000 Lao people have been educated in our country, and currently 159 Lao boys and girls are doing so.
In political terms, the parties also have many points of contact. Laos is interested in joining BRICS and is actively studying this issue. Vientiane also opposes the destruction of the security architecture in Southeast Asia due to the militarization of Taiwan, the Philippines and Japan.
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