AirAsia Cambodia’s Siem Reap-Singapore Route To Propel the Kingdom’s Aviation Sector

From Vijian Paramasivam

PHNOM PENH, Sept 24 (Bernama) -- AirAsia Cambodia announced a strategic move to launch its new Siem Reap to Singapore route by targeting the year-end rising passenger traffic that will help to spur the domestic aviation sector.

It was a timely announcement as the movement of holiday-makers, businesses and the expatriate community between the two destinations will peak towards the year-end, while Cambodia’s popular annual water festival in November will be another tourism attraction. 

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The new route from Siem Reap to Singapore commences on Nov 9, 2024. 

AirAsia Cambodia chief executive officer (CEO) Vissoth Nam said the new service will boost the local economy and tourism sector, including job creation in the all-important hospitality sector.

“Since we launched services (Cambodia operations) in early May 2024, we have witnessed strong demand and significant opportunities for growth in several key international markets. 

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“Singapore is the start of a number of new destinations (and) we are keen to launch a direct route linking Phnom Penh to Singapore soon,” he said in a press statement issued by the budget carrier on Monday.

The new route announcement comes at a crucial time when Cambodia is expanding its airport infrastructures to support air travel, which will play a significant role in generating revenue for the country and fuel the tourism sector. 

The government has an ambitious plan to transform Cambodia into a leading regional player in the aviation sector by improving domestic and international connectivity and investing billions in building key infrastructures. 

The Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport , which opened last October, can handle about seven million passengers.

The Techo International Airport, located about 40 kilometres outside Phnom Penh, is targeted to handle 13 million passengers when its first phase commences operations in early 2025. 

At least 80 per cent of the work on the greenfield project has been completed.

Commenting on the new launch, AirAsia Aviation Group CEO Bo Lingam said elevating travel connectivity within the ASEAN region has been the lynchpin of the carrier’s model since it started operations with just two planes 22 years ago. 

“This new route direct to Singapore signifies the start of a broader group strategy supporting the revival of the tourism industry and a new era for international services to and from Cambodia. 

“While we expect our direct services to Kuala Lumpur and now to Singapore will continue to prove very popular. We are also very excited about the world of opportunities via our vast network. 

“Our popular seamless Fly Thru services, especially to China, Japan, Australia,  India and beyond, enable more people to fly to and from Cambodia at the very best value prices,” he said.

In a press statement, the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) outlines an optimistic growth trajectory in the international air passenger markets.

It said that regional initiatives to encourage travel continued to yield positive results, with the relaxation of visa policies underpinning a significant rise in leisure travellers during the peak summer holiday season. 

A total of 31.9 million international passengers were carried by Asian airlines, representing a 22.6 per cent year-on-year increase in July this year, the association added. 

“Despite ongoing supply chain disruptions, the outlook for travel markets remains positive, as Asia Pacific airlines continue to benefit from resilient business and leisure demand. 

“In particular, China-based airlines are experiencing solid growth in passenger demand as traffic in China recovers, driving overall expansion,” said AAPA director-general Subhas Menon. 

-- Bernama