Tourism Minister Calls on Asiana to Expand Flight Routes to Cambodia’s Top Destinations
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Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism has called on South Korea’s Asiana Airlines to consider resuming and expanding direct flight services to Siem Reap and Preah Sihanouk provinces—two of the Kingdom’s most popular tourism destinations.
The proposal was formally raised by Tourism Minister H.E. Huot Hak during a high-level meeting on June 5 in Seoul with Park Jongman, Vice President and Head of Passenger Affairs at Asiana Airlines. Currently, the Seoul-based airline operates direct flights only to Phnom Penh, but before the Covid-19 pandemic, it had also served the provincial international airports of Siem Reap and Preah Sihanoukville.
Minister Hak expressed his appreciation for Asiana Airlines’ role in providing safe and efficient air connectivity between South Korea and Cambodia and encouraged the airline to explore opportunities to expand its network.
“We requested continued assistance and suggested examining the possibility of further expansion through direct and regular flights to Siem Reap and Preah Sihanouk provinces, which are popular tourist destinations. This would offer greater convenience to Korean and international visitors and investors travelling to Cambodia,” said Minister Hak.
Park Jongman acknowledged the importance of enhanced connectivity and said the airline would study the proposal carefully, taking into account operational feasibility and market potential.
Officials at Cambodia’s State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) confirmed the government’s ongoing efforts to attract more international carriers and increase foreign tourist arrivals.
“We welcome all airlines wishing to fly to Cambodia,” said SSCA spokesperson Sinn Chanserey Vutha. “The country is fully prepared to receive international flights as well as tourists and investors.”
In a major boost to Cambodia’s aviation capacity, the Techo International Airport—located approximately 19 kilometres south of Phnom Penh—will officially begin operations on September 9. Developed on a 2,600-hectare site in Kandal province, this Greenfield airport is Cambodia’s largest infrastructure project in the aviation sector.
Techo International Airport is a 4F-category facility, capable of handling wide-body aircraft including the Airbus A380-800 and Boeing 747-800. The development is planned in three phases: Phase 1 (2020–2030) will accommodate up to 15 million passengers annually, Phase 2 (2030–2050) will increase capacity to 30 million, and Phase 3 (beyond 2050) will support up to 45 million passengers per year.
The government hopes that improved infrastructure, along with expanded airline services from partners like Asiana, will support the growth of Cambodia’s tourism and investment sectors in the years ahead.
