Turkish Airlines has initiated discussions with Cambodian authorities and relevant stakeholders to explore the possibility of establishing direct flights between Turkey and Cambodia.
The move is seen as a potential boost to tourism, trade and investment between the two countries.
The airline’s representatives have recently visited Cambodia and held a range of discussion meetings relevant to discuss the feasibility of launching direct air services.
The airline representatives expressed keen interest in Cambodia’s growing tourism sector and its strategic location as a gateway to Southeast Asia.
President of Cambodia Tourism Association Chhay Sivlin met with the airline representative in Phnom Penh, saying that this is an outcome of the meeting in Istanbul, Turkiye, chaired by Sok Chanda Sophea, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, in May, attracting the Turkish Airlines to study the feasibility of direct flights between Turkey and Cambodia.
The direct flight will be convenient for tourists from Türkiye and its neighbouring countries to travel to Cambodia, said Sivlin.
“Direct connections are important because they reduce costs and save time for passengers,” Sivlin told Khmer Times yesterday.
In addition to meetings, the Turkish Airlines delegation also conducted a site visit to the under-construction Techno International Airport in Kandal province.
The new airport, upon completion, is expected to significantly enhance Cambodia’s air connectivity and accommodate increased passenger and cargo traffic.
Ülkü Kocaefe, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Cambodia, in April, emphasized that Turkish Airlines plans to expand flights to Cambodia in the near future, and hopefully, this connection will further increase the relationship between people and tourists.
If materialized, a direct flight between Türkiye and Cambodia would significantly reduce travel time and enhance accessibility for both business and leisure travellers. It would also facilitate trade and investment between the two countries, promoting economic cooperation.
The airlines’ move was made as Cambodia has been actively working to expand its air connectivity in recent years, with several new airlines launching direct flights to the Kingdom.
Mao Havannall, Minister in Charge of the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA), has recently said that the Cambodian government’s open sky policy has made significant air connections and flight routes to Cambodia.
“SSCA will continue putting efforts in increasing direct flights to Cambodia from the region, the Middle East region, particularly the European Union,” he said.
According to the SSCA figures, Cambodia’s three international airports handled a combined 2.5 million air passengers in the first five months this year, up 22 percent from 2.1 million recorded in the same period last year.
