Aerolaos | Bombardier Q400 | RDPL-37832 | 2013-present

Aerolaos is the flag carrier of the small Asian nation of Laos. Operating since 1963, the airline had long been the main gateway to the country. From its main base in the capital of Vientiane, the airline had operated mostly domestic flights for the majority of its history. Despite government subsidies the low-yielding flights led the company to financial troubles. Reorganization efforts in the mid-to-late 1990s by a private consortium, which also included the introduction of modern ATR 72 aircraft, helped the airline but it still struggled to meet profitability goals.

In 2010 the Laos government launched its own reorganization effort for the airline, which involved its renationalization. Growing demand to the nation of Laos also allowed the flag carrier to launch new services and introduce the largest aircraft in its history, the Airbus A320. With the new jet, a new livery was also introduced, featuring the flag colours on the fuselage and the national flower, the plumeria, as the main logo. The Bombardier Q400 was ordered in 2015 to replace the ATRs, as its longer ranges would allow Aerolaos to spread its wings further into Asia. The first Q400 arrived in 2017, operatings its inaugural flight from Vientiane to Bangkok. Today the Q400 is the mainstray of the fleet, with 12 aircraft in service, including 4 Q400CCs (Cargo-Combi), with seating for 50 passengers as well as cargo. In addition the airline operates 5 A320s, operating trunk domestic and international routes.

RDPL-37832 is the 9th Q400 to be delivered to Aerolaos, and the last full-passenger aircraft to enter the fleet. The passenger-only Q400s are configured with 74 seats, a slightly more spacious than usual layout for this aircraft. Entering service in late December 2018, this aircraft is based in the second largest city of Laos, Luang Prabang. It frequently operates trunk domestic routes and regional international services to nearby countries, such as routes to Bangkok, Siem Reap and Hanoi.