On December 23, Lao Airlines launched the Zhanjiang–Vientiane route, marking the first international route since Zhanjiang Wuchuan International Airport relocated and began operations in 2022. It also represents the first time a foreign airline has opened an international route in western Guangdong.
For years, residents in western Guangdong had to travel via major hubs such as Guangzhou or Shenzhen for cross-border journeys, facing high time and cost burdens.
The Vientiane route is operated with an Airbus A320, with scheduled round trips every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, effectively enabling residents to fly directly from their doorstep to ASEAN destinations.
Located at the intersection of three national strategies—the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the Hainan Free Trade Port, and the New Western Land–Sea Corridor—Zhanjiang is one of the most convenient coastal gateways from southwestern and southern China to ASEAN.
As the only 4E-class trunk airport in western Guangdong, Wuchuan Airport is seamlessly connected with major transport arteries such as the Guangzhou–Zhanjiang High-Speed Railway and the Shenzhen–Zhanjiang Railway. The new route is expected to integrate with Zhanjiang Port, China-Europe freight trains, and the China–Laos Railway, forming an international sea–land–air multimodal transport network and boosting regional logistics efficiency.
Some people have questioned, “Who would actually fly from Zhanjiang to Laos?” Notably, Zhanjiang’s former airport once operated four international routes, including Phnom Penh and Bangkok, indicating a solid operational foundation. Meanwhile, cities such as Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok have more frequent trade ties and personnel exchanges with Zhanjiang, suggesting stronger market demand.
The Zhanjiang Municipal Bureau of Commerce has stated that it is actively engaging with AirAsia, aiming to launch a Kuala Lumpur route within 2025, while also planning routes to Bangkok and other destinations.
The opening of the Zhanjiang–Vientiane route marks an important milestone in Zhanjiang’s opening-up process. Lao Airlines’ entry not only fills the gap of foreign carriers operating in western Guangdong, but also represents a key step for this coastal city to connect with the wider world.
