More Direct Flights to Cambodia

Constant direct flight openings were set up gradually recently as Cambodia has now been on the map of globalization due to her large stock of pure attractions, that many have known, but few have visited.

So far all ASEAN countries have set up direct flights to Cambodia except Brunei. The Philippines’ flagship airline— Cebu Pacific just landed its first airplane in Siem Reap in April this year, scheduling three flights per week.

Indonesia, soon this year will fly its flagship aircraft from Jakarta to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, since both governments have already signed the framework agreement regarding the direct flights cooperation. The first flight is expected by end this year.

Beside the bloc’s direct flights, efforts also make to invite the far direct flights such as from Asia and Europe, where is the hub of potential visitors to the kingdom.

Negotiation to welcome Indian flights has already put on the table since July this year, backing by both governments and the private sectors who aim to facilitate their business matching.

Anyway, there is only a direct flight from Europe. Re-opened its flight route to Cambodia on March 28 last year, Air France (AF) is operating from Phnom Penh Airport with a short stop in Vietnam’s Saigon Airport before flying to Paris’s Charles de Gaulles Airport with three direct flights per week that offer greater comfort and services to European passengers who wish to tour in Cambodia.

This well-known European airline after learning from the outcome from its one year operation, will consider a suitable time to fly directly from Paris to Phnom Penh, according to the company’s CEO.

Air France is the only official EU’ airline land in Cambodia, whereas charter flights from countries such as Spain, Italy and Sweden are also available. There are talks to open and scheduled direct flights for Russia’s planes as well. 

More distant direct flights are expected to set up in the coming years, as Cambodia has strategized on fly— the most effective route to absorb visitors, while tourism has been regarded as the nation’s green gold following the rice as white gold.

Covering by three international airports, and 9 local airports, Cambodia expects to absorb more international arrivals in the upcoming years as these main gates are steadily developed in term of flight schedules and size expansion.

Record from Tourism Ministry said the total international tourist arrivals to Cambodia in 2011 accounted for 2,881,862 arrivals while 1,480,407 passengers arrived by air (645,172 traveled by Phnom Penh International Airport equals to 22.4 per cent of the total arrivals, and 835,172 passengers equals to 29 per cent came through Siem Reap International Airport).

The kingdom’s three international airports, i.e. in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and SihanoukVille (not yet fully operated) together have contributed to this tourism growth.

Anyway, Phnom Penh as opposed to Siem Reap, the two airports are complementary and cater to different segments. At Siem Reap Int'l, the traffic is 99% made of tourism while at Phnom Penh’s tends towards a mix of business and tourism travelers.

The Phnom Penh International Airport will expand its infrastructure in a plan to mobilize 5 million customers a year starts from 2015.

‘The airport can currently accommodate 2.5 million passengers a year and this capacity will be doubled by 2015 as the airport management is launching the next expansion phase this year, said Norinda Khek, Communications Manager, Phnom Penh International Airport.

The Capital’s terminal receives on average 29/30 flights daily, or 200/210 flights a week, while 17 airlines are operating on schedule, including Cambodia Angkor Air, the only national flag carrier and only domestic airline.

When the Sihanouk International Airport is taken off, Cambodia will have one of the most adequate and relevant networks of international airports in ASEAN, striking a balance between various types of air traffics.

Fly transportation has contributed largely to tourism growth in Cambodia, as it has played for both the main gate to absorb international visitors and to facilitate their visitation across the country.