A historic air travel initiative is poised to forge greater ties between India and Cambodia as Cambodia Angkor Air, the national airline of Cambodia, is set to launch direct flights connecting Phnom Penh with New Delhi. Scheduled to begin next month, this aerial link is anticipated to significantly bolster tourism, enhance bilateral business transactions, and ease people-to-people exchanges.
At a press briefing in New Delhi, Koy Kuong, Cambodia’s Ambassador to India, articulated optimistic projections about this development, anticipating a twofold spike in tourist traffic to and from both countries. Backing the Ambassador’s forecast, representatives from Cambodia Angkor Air, Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism, and Indian authorities, acknowledged the new air route as the first direct flight service between the capital cities of both countries, indicative of the escalating demand for travel connectivity.
Statistics laid out by Ambassador Koy depicted that before the pandemic crisis, namely in the years 2018 and 2019, Cambodia received approximately 75,000 visitors from India annually. Despite a decline to around 45,000 yearly visitors in 2021, expectations stand that the forthcoming air services will catalyze a resurgence in tourist figures, considering the streamlined travel process it introduces.
It’s more than leisure travel that stands to gain. Implications for the corporate sector are significant, with projections pointing to a sharp uptick in business travel from India. By simplifying the process for Indian entrepreneurs looking to invest in Cambodia’s burgeoning economy, sectors such as technology and medicine may see accelerated growth and attract fresh investments.
For Cambodian outbound travelers, the direct flights open new possibilities, particularly in seeking healthcare services. Highlighting India’s cost-effective medical treatments, the Ambassador foresees an amplified movement of Cambodians to India for health-related reasons thanks to the new air link.
In line with increased traveller demand and affordability, Cambodia Angkor Air has arranged regular flights beginning on June 16, with services on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The flight, coded K6760/K6761, will be priced at an attractive round-trip fare of approximately $275 per person, including all taxes.
Further catering to the demand for more comprehensive travel options, future routes are being considered. Plans are being laid to connect more Indian cities such as Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru. Additionally, Eng Molina, the Chief Commercial Officer of Cambodia Angkor Air, hinted at the likelihood of expanding to multiple Tier I cities.
David Yuhong Zhan, Director of the Cambodia Tourism Board, and executive at Cambodia Angkor Air, reaffirmed the airline’s expansion strategy, suggesting new routes linking Siem Reap with New Delhi and further connections from Phnom Penh to other Indian metropolises in the foreseen future. This burgeoning network exemplifies the commitment to bridging the distance between Cambodia and India, thus fortifying the relationship across multiple dimensions including tourism, healthcare, and commerce.
Source: Khmer Times
