PHNOM PENH, June 10 – Cambodia’s Minister of Tourism, Huot Hak, has called on South Korea’s Asiana Airlines to consider reinstating direct air links to Siem Reap and Preah Sihanouk regions, aiming to boost tourism and foreign investment flows into the Kingdom.
The proposal was tabled during a high-level meeting on June 5 in Seoul between Minister Hak and Park Jongman, Vice CEO and Head of Passenger Affairs at Asiana Airlines.
While Asiana currently operates flights to Phnom Penh, it previously served Cambodia’s two major provincial airports before the COVID-19 pandemic. Minister Hak urged the airline to evaluate the feasibility of restoring regular, direct services to Siem Reap and Preah Sihanouk, two of Cambodia’s most visited tourist destinations.
“We requested Asiana’s continued collaboration and proposed the expansion of direct air links to Siem Reap and Preah Sihanouk to enhance accessibility for South Korean and international tourists, as well as potential investors,” said Hak.
The Cambodian government continues to prioritize increased air connectivity as part of its broader strategy to revitalize the tourism sector and attract foreign capital.
Sinn Chanserey Vutha, spokesperson for the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA), affirmed Cambodia’s readiness to support incoming carriers. “We welcome all airlines interested in operating in Cambodia. The infrastructure and regulatory frameworks are fully prepared to accommodate international visitors and investors,” he said in a statement to The Post on June 9.
In a major step towards enhancing aviation capacity, Cambodia will inaugurate its new Techo International Airport on September 9. Situated on 2,600 hectares of previously undeveloped land in Kandal province, roughly 19km south of Phnom Penh, the airport is a 4F-category “greenfield” facility capable of handling large aircraft, including the Airbus A380-800 and Boeing 747-800.
Developed in three phases, the airport is expected to process up to 15 million passengers annually by 2030, increasing to 30 million by 2050, and reaching a projected capacity of 45 million passengers beyond 2050.
The initiative marks a significant milestone in Cambodia’s efforts to position itself as a Southeast Asian regional tourism and investment hub -The Phnom Penh Post / ANN
