Veha Akat
Operator Identification
1955 to 1967
Laos
TYPE: Airline
IATA/ICAO CODES: Nil
HEADQUARTERS: Vientiane
FORMER NAME: Nil
SUBSEQUENT NAME: Nil
Operator History
Veha Akat was a charter airline with majority ownership by the Sananikone family. Operations started in October 1955 with a Noorduyn Norseman and three Dragon Rapides. A fourth Dragon Rapide was added in September 1956 and two Beavers in June 1957. Most pilots were French.
From the late 1950's, Veha Akat benefited from the support of the Republic of China. In July 1960, ROCAF provided Veha Akat with a C-47 and two Commandos, officially leased from China Airlines but actually operated by crews from the CAI-backed Black Bat Squadron. All three aircraft bore a Veha Akat livery. From December 1960, these aircraft flew out of Vientiane to deliver supplies to YAVA (Yunnan Anticommunist Volunteer Army) units in Burma. Officially, these flights were distributing humanitarian aid from Taiwan. The aircraft, operated by Taiwanese crews housed at the Republic of China embassy, flew both scheduled passenger flights and these special missions.
As most YAVA troops were driven out of Burma into Laos by late January 61, the Republic of China started supporting them as ‘refugees’ with food and other necessities. The three China Airlines planes leased to Veha Akat started being used solely for that purpose, in full cargo configuration. Supplies arrived from Taiwan to Pakse, Laos, from where the three ROCAF planes in Veha Akhat markings operated for further distribution. On 19 February 1961, the C-47 was shot down over Laos with the death of all aboard but one. The two Commandos continued alone, making daily flights to Luang Namtha, Houa Khong Province to deliver weapons and supplies to the Nationalist Chinese. Under pressure from the US government who wanted to avoid Taiwanese intervention to be used as an excuse for China to enter the conflict, Taiwanese support and troops eventually starting withdrawing on 12 April 1961. Full withdrawal was only completed on 7 October 1962 in accordance with the July 1962 Geneva Accords. However, it seems that the two Commandos remained for several more years before being returned.
After the departure of the Taiwanese, Veha Akat went back to its regular airline business. Two more Dragon Rapides were added in the early 1960's, and C-47s were operated in the mid-sixties. On 25 July 1967, Veha Akat's C-47 XW-PDL crashed into a mountain ridge near Luang Prabang, Laos while circling in the air, waiting for better weather to land, killing all 16 onboard. This accident apparently brought an end to the airline's operations.
Commando Operations
July 1960 to mid-1960's
Veha Akat leased two Commandos from China Airlines, which were actually operated for military anti-communist support missions by ROCAF's Black Bat Squadron pilots.
Last edited: 22/10/2022