Regional airlines open up Asean skies
Regional airlines open up Asean skies
The new flights launched by Cambodia Angkor Air (CAA) to Laos and Vietnam are a sign that air transport in the region is becoming more competitive in anticipation of the Asean Economic Community.
The new routes are part of the carrier's expansion plan and will attract more tourists to Cambodia, according to the Khmer Times.
CAA chairman Tekret Samrach said at the launch that CAA needs to expand to survive. “If we depend only on domestic flights, we cannot survive,” Mr Samrach said. “Its expansion plan will see it tap markets in East Asia such as Tokyo, Seoul and Beijing,” he added.
Lao Airlines Marketing Director Mr Sitthideth Douangsiththy told Vientiane Times on Tuesday that more flights between Phnom Penh and Vientiane could mean that CAA will take some market share on this route.
The opening up of new flights by Asean members will serve as a driving force for Lao Airlines to improve their services and explore business opportunities for regional integration.
Lao Airlines is currently partnering with Vietnam Airlines on flights between Phnom Penh and Vientiane as part of efforts to promote tourism and Asean connectivity.
“We (Lao Airlines) have started flights to Siem Reap to promote tourism between Laos and Cambodia,” Mr Sitthideth said.
Lao Airlines is conducting a market survey on the viability of providing flights to all Asean member countries, he added, but could not say when the new routes might open.
Currently, Lao Airlines does not fly to the Philippines, Brunei, Indonesia, Myanmar, or Malaysia. A Malaysian carrier is operating flights to Laos.
“I think we may consider Myanmar and Malaysia first before expanding into other Asean countries,” Mr Sitthideth said.
Lao Airlines used to fly between Vientiane and Yangon, Myanmar, in the 1980s, but cancelled the service because it was unprofitable.
At present, Lao Airlines is concentrating on penetrating the Chinese and Korean markets as a huge number of tourists from these countries are now visiting Laos.
Passengers coming from the US and heading to Laos also fly through the Republic of Korea instead of transiting in Bangkok before entering Laos. This is considered more convenient for tourists.
Lao Airlines could gain a lot of passengers by flying to China and Korea, and the carrier is exploring new routes to these countries as part of their business expansion plans.
Lao Airlines is also exploring the Japanese market to promote tourism and business cooperation.
