According to His Excellency Sin Chansery Vutha, the Undersecretary of State and Spokesperson of the Secretariat of State for Civil Aviation, Siem Reap Angkor International Airport is scheduled to start operating on October 16, 2023. The opening of this large airport is expected to have a positive impact on Cambodia’s economic growth, particularly in the tourism sector.
His Excellency made this announcement during a visit by the Cambodian Tourism Association (CATA) to Siem Reap Angkor International Airport on July 17, 2023.
- In the civil aviation sector, air transport in the first six months of 2023 saw Cambodia receiving more than 2,480,032 air passengers, which is a 270% increase compared to the same period in 2022.
- Additionally, Cambodia received 24,725 two-way flights during this period, marking a 148% increase compared to the same period in 2022.
As of early July 2023, the average number of domestic and international passenger and cargo flights per week was 850, departing and arriving at the three international airports in Cambodia.
Currently, twenty-six national and international airlines are resuming flights with nine ASEAN countries, including China, South Korea, Hong Kong SAR, Taiwan, and Qatar.
His Excellency Sin Chansery Vutha stated that the air transport activity in Cambodia has shown substantial recovery, reaching around 50% of the activity levels in 2019 before the COVID-19 crisis.
Mr. LU Wei, President of Angkor International Airport Investment (Cambodia) Co., Ltd. (AIAI), expressed his belief that the new airport will promote the growth of aviation, enhance visitor convenience to explore the magnificent Angkor Wat, attract Chinese tourists to Cambodia, strengthen relations between China and Cambodia, and contribute to the development of the tourism industry.
Mrs. Chhay Sivlin, President of the Cambodian Tourism Association (CATA), expressed her joy and pride in Siem Reap’s major tourism hub receiving investment for the new airport. She highlighted the airport’s significant scope and capacity to accommodate large aircraft and its potential to receive long-haul direct flights to Cambodia in the near future. Mrs. Chhay Sivlin added that this development is crucial in promoting Cambodia as a stand-alone tourist destination and that the airport will be a valuable asset for the future of the tourism sector in the Kingdom of Cambodia.
Photos: Nalorss PHAY (Narla)
