The Laos government has sold 49% of flag-carrier Lao Airlines to Chinese aircraft manufacturer COMAC.

This partnership aims to reform state-owned enterprises, improve efficiency, and address financial losses.

READ: CPaT to deliver new aircraft system courses to Lao Airlines

A newspaper report in Laotian Times claims that the plan maker initially wanted a controlling share of the business, but the Laos government negotiated to retain overall control.

COMAC is reported to by drafting a business improvement plan, which will be submitted to the government for approval.

Earlier in 2025, Lao Airlines, along with Indonesia’s TransNusa was the first carrier outside of mainland China to operate the C909 90 seat regional jet which it owns four of, alongside four A320-family aircraft and seven ATR turboprops in various configurations.