Cambodia Angkor Airline set to take off

Travel Blackboard

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Tuesday, 7 July 2009

Cambodian officials have announced plans to put Cambodia Angkor Airline (CAA) into operation and inaugurate Preah Sihanouk International Airport, formerly the Kang Keng Airport, on July 27.

Mao Havannal, secretary of state at the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation, said only two ATR-72 Cambodia Angkor aircraft would fly between Siem Reap and Preah Sihanouk province on the day of the airlines inauguration.

"In fact, on inauguration day, only the national air route by the newly established airline will fly. It is a kind of lightweight plane which flies locally, internationally and regionally to countries like Singapore, Vietnam and Bangkok," the secretary of state said.

Mao Havannal added that the national airline was a joint venture between the Cambodian government and Vietnam Airlines.

Plans to buy Airbus 320 and 321 aircraft

The Cambodian government and Vietnam Airlines signed a plan for CAA to buy Airbus 320 and 321 aircraft in late 2009 and early 2010.

"I think that if the company sees that a joint venture can boost profits, the firm will order more planes to meet the company's needs," he added.

Representatives from certain regional airlines in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Laos will also be present during the inauguration ceremony this month to find out about Cambodia's business potential for airline business in their respective nations.

"Now, I am encouraging some foreign airlines to fly directly to Preah Sihanouk International Airport by asking them to pay low taxes on landing," the secretary of state said.

Travel agencies in the dark

No travel agencies have confirmed CAA’s initial operational information about ticket bookings by tourists who wish to visit Preah Sihanouk province.

Ho Vandy, managing director of World Express Tour and Travel, said that his company had not received any official news concerning upcoming flights with CAA.

"We are yet to receive any official information about the name of our national airline, the price [of its tickets], its flights and the management of the airline.

“We are asking all relevant ministries and institutions to provide clear information to us so that it will be easy for us to give information to tourists," the director said.

Airline to boost economy

CAA was formed not only to make profits but to also provide a good economic outlook for Cambodia, Vandy said.

The presence of the new national airline is guaranteed to help lure tourists traveling via large ships through Preah Sihanouk Port to visit Angkor Wat.

Sona Soth, director of Phnom Penh International Airport, said that once an airport is in operation, it is already required to meet international air traffic standards.

He said before the new airport opened, the International Civil Aviation Organisation inspected its navigation equipment, runway and infrastructure.

"This airport is safe enough to land and take off on," he said.