Cambodia signs Protocol 5 to boost regional open sky agenda
Cambodia signs Protocol 5 to boost regional open sky agenda
The State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) has signed Protocol 5 on ‘Own Stopover Rights’ between points within the territory of another ASEAN Member State (AMS), expanding air connectivity within the region.
The protocol was signed by Mao Havannall, Minister in charge of SSCA with representatives from AMS at the 30th ASEAN Transport Ministers’ Meeting (30th ATM) and Related Meetings in Malaysia last week, SSCA spokesman Sinn Chanserey Vutha said yesterday.
The protocol, a crucial component of the ASEAN Open Sky Framework Agreement, grants airlines from AMS the right to operate flights between two points within another Member State’s territory, without the need for obtaining specific traffic rights, he said.
“The purpose of signing Protocol 5 is to boost the liberalization of air transport services in the ASEAN region and support trade, economy and tourism in the region,” Vutha told Khmer Times.
Increased air connectivity will not only facilitate business and leisure travel but also strengthen regional integration and cooperation, he said.
Currently, 30 airlines operate direct flights from eight ASEAN countries, Mainland China, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, India, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates to the Kingdom.
Cambodia’s aviation sector is experiencing a significant uptick in 2024 with the country’s three international airports handling a combined 4.5 million air passengers from January to September, up 22 percent from 3.7 million recorded in the same period last year, according to an SSCA report.
Under the open sky policy, the Cambodian government’s efforts to improve airport infrastructure and enhance aviation services have also contributed to the sector’s growth.
SSCA is projecting an impressive 67 percent growth in air traffic for the entire year compared to 2019, the pre-pandemic benchmark, SSCA stated.
The aviation sector in Cambodia has been experiencing steady growth in recent years, driven by increased demand for air travel and government initiatives to modernize the country’s airport infrastructure.
It may be noted that earlier last month, SSCA announced the addition of six new flight routes connecting Cambodia to various destinations during the peak tourism season for the year-end.
The new routes are Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville-Phu Quoc by Cambodia Air, Siem Reap-Singapore by Air Asia Cambodia, Phuket-Siem Reap by Air Asia Thailand, Bangkok-Siem Reap by Thai Airways, Hanoi-Phnom Penh by Vietnam Airlines, and Xi’An -Phnom Penh by Spring Airlines.
From late October, some of these new flight routes have been added and connected while a few others are planning to connect to Cambodia’s international airports from various destinations in the region, SSCA’s Chanserey Vutha was quoted by reports.
The expansion is expected to significantly boost the country’s aviation sector, enhance air connectivity and stimulate tourism growth.
The country’s efforts to modernize its airports and improve infrastructure have played a crucial role in attracting new airlines and boosting tourism.
By November, the construction of the new Techo International Airport (TIA) has completed 92 percent work. The airport is built at a cost of more than $1.3 billion. If nothing changes, TIA is scheduled to be officially inaugurated in 2025.
