The Wuxi Shuofang International Airport in Xinwu district, Wuxi. [Photo/WeChat account: xinwu_wx]

9 Air, a Chinese low-cost airline, will open a direct passenger route between Wuxi Shuofang International Airport and Vientiane, the capital of Laos.

The service will operate once a week on Mondays, with flights departing Wuxi at 10:45 am and arriving in Vientiane at 1:45 pm. The return flight will depart Vientiane at 2:45 pm and land in Wuxi at 7:30 pm. Plans are underway to increase the service to three flights per week in the near future.

The new route significantly eases travel between China and Laos. For Chinese citizens, Laos currently allows visas on arrival, making spontaneous international travel possible with nothing but a valid passport and flight ticket. Travelers are reminded, however, to check the validity of their passports, which should generally have more than six months remaining.

Vientiane, Laos. [Photo/WeChat account: news-wuxixinwen]