A China Eastern Airlines flight carrying more than 140 passengers left Wuhan late Friday for Vientiane, marking the first direct route between central China’s Hubei Province and the Lao capital.
The outbound flight will operate Friday nights, with the return leg departing Vientiane at 2:05 a.m. local time on Saturdays.
Ma Ming, marketing manager for China Eastern’s Wuhan branch, said the route supports broader Belt and Road Initiative goals and is expected to boost trade, tourism and people‑to‑people exchanges.
The airline marked the inaugural flight with themed activities at the airport, including photo displays of attractions in both cities.
Among the passengers was a 77‑member tour group heading to Laos. A tour leader surnamed Wu said most travelers were middle‑aged or older and that the direct route cuts travel time significantly. “In the past, we usually had to transfer in Kunming, which could take most of the day,” Wu said. “Now it’s about three hours.”
This year marks the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Laos and the Year of China‑Laos Friendship.