In particular, consumers in Vientiane have complained that Lao Airlines is increasing the price for flights between Vientiane and Luang Prabang province during the period this month.

A Lao Airlines’ ticket agent in Luang Prabang Mrs Lotchana Sibounheuang, told Vientiane Times on Tuesday that ticket prices usually increased for the period.

Tickets between Luang Prabang and Vientiane would increase for April 11-20, but then return to normal rates, she said.

A regular roundtrip ticket costs 1,530,000 kip but this goes up to 1,690,000 kip throughout the period from April 11-20.

However, domestic flight ticket prices in neighboring countries such as Thailand also increase for Thai New Year, which coincides closely with Laos’ celebrations.

People in Vientiane have called for Lao Airlines to drop its prices for the period because many of them want to celebrate the New Year in Luang Prabang while avoiding the long winding and hazardous trip on the road.

Meanwhile, Lotchana revealed there were some flights deals on offer. “We have a promotion with the cheapest one-way ticket costing only 395,000 kip from Luang Prabang province to Vientiane. This price runs from April 11 to 20 as well, so people should hurry and book it,” she revealed.

However, the promotion is from Luang Prabang to Vientiane only, not the flight from Vientiane. She added that Lao Airlines may provide the 395,000 kip promotion one-way deal for tickets from Vientiane running April 15 to 20.

Lao Airlines also plans to add extra flights from Vientiane to Luang Prabang over Lao New Year, from April 11 to 20, if demand warrants.

There are currently three daily Lao Airlines flights between Vientiane and Luang Prabang.

Lao New Year is the biggest traditional festival in the country and is almost always held from April 13-16.