|
Lao Central Airlines sets sights on international skies
Lao Central Airlines Public Company (LCA) will begin using the consultancy services of international auditing firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) to help with their financial modeling and the development of their business plan.
LCA, formerly known as Phongsavanh Airlines Public Company, signed a contract for consultancy services with PWC in Vientiane on Thursday.
“We have taken this step because we are an international airline and want our company to adhere to international standards,” LCA Assistant CEO Mr Lam-nguen Vannasouk said.
Mr Lam-nguen also used the occasion to formally announce the company's change of name; Phongsavanh Airlines will now be known as Lao Central Airlines, so to consolidate its international profile.
LCA Senior Advisor Mr Thongsay Inthisane said “We decided to change the name to make us more recognisable locally and abroad. The new name will ensure that people know that we are a Lao company, operating out of Laos.”
Mr Thongsay said that now is the right time to engage a consultancy firm, as the company is currently in the process of drawing up a purchase agreement to buy nine jets from Russia.
PWC is one of the world's largest providers of assurance, tax, and business consulting services, with branches and clients in more than 150 countries.
Lao Central Airlines hopes to expand business rapidly in what is a growing aviation market, and engaging PWC will help develop a robust business model which is viable in the long term. “We want to establish ourselves in the regional market first, and later on expand to the international level,” Mr Lam-nguen said.
LCA had initially hoped to make its inaugural flight next month after receiving an Air Operation Certificate from the Lao Civil Aviation Department. However, Mr Thongsay said that the maiden flight may now take place in October, as the company is awaiting the arrival of two experienced pilots from India.
The company will commence initial operations with two 150-seater Boeing 737-400s, which were purchased recently. “Initially we expect to operate flights from Laos to Thailand, and then Vietnam, China and Cambodia. After that, we'll consider all Asean countries,” Mr Thongsay said.
One of the aircraft is currently being fitted out in Bangkok, Thailand, and LCA will take delivery of it soon. The second aircraft will then be flown to Bangkok to be similarly fitted out.
The company is in the process of training staff and undertaking service systems testing. It has several staff based in Bangkok working towards commercial pilot licences, and flight crews and flight management staff are also undergoing training in Thailand.
The trainee pilots are expected to take one or two years to complete their courses, which will include travelling to America to train with Boeing, operator of the largest fleet of aircraft in the world.
Mr Thongsay said the company expects to take delivery of the nine Russian jets by the end of next year. LCA will be the first privately owned company in Laos to operate medium sized jets catering to the domestic market.
vientiane times
|
