AirAsia operations will relocate to new Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport starting 16 October

AirAsia announced it will relocate its operations to the new Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport (SAI) effective 16 October 2023. Once operational, AirAsia will utilise 16 check-in counters at the terminal at Row C01-C16, which will make the check-in process faster and smoother. The first AirAsia flight to land at the new airport is AirAsia Malaysia flight AK542 and AK540 from Kuala Lumpur, followed by Thai AirAsia flights FD610, FD614 and FD618. Guests on these flights will receive a notification before their scheduled departure date to inform them of the changes. Cambodia was among one of the first countries to do away with quarantines and other COVID-related requirements in order to restart its tourism economy. (PHOTO: Matt Driskill) The SAI airport is located in Tayek commune, Soutr Nikom district, around 55 kilometres from the capital of Siem Reap province. The new airport will have convenient facilities to handle passenger and cargo traffic and provide an initial capacity of processing up to seven million passengers annually with planned expansions increasing that capacity to 20 million passengers annually by 2050. As for the passenger convenience, SAI Airport’s ground floor is accessible to various transportation options such as transfer buses, car rentals, and taxis. The new airport is further away from the famous Angkor Wat temple complex and was designed to lessen the impact of aviation on the temples. Part of the temple complex. (PHOTO: Matt Driskill) The new airport can receive larger aircraft from the United States and Europe, facilitating direct flights for international tourists visiting the Kingdom of Wonder, a press release by the Ministry of Information said. Sin Chansereyvutha, Undersecretary of State and Spokesperson for the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA), confirmed the date of the new airport going operational. “This large airport will allow direct flights from many countries to Siem Reap, and it is expected to boost Cambodia’s economy, especially through growth in tourism,” he said. The announcement was made during a technical site visit and introduction of the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents (CATA) to the SAI airport. The CATA delegation was led by its President Chhay Sivlin. Cambodia has seen a dramatic rise in air passengers this year, but the country’s reputation faces hurdles due to negative media attention, according to officials. Sinn Chanserey Vutha, spokesman for the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA), stated on September 12 that over the first eight months of this year, the Kingdom welcomed more than 3.4 million flyers, an increase of over 180 per cent compared to the same period last year. The country also saw 33,146 flights, a rise of 114 per cent, but witnessed a decline in cargo imports by over 10 percent. He noted that despite reporting a significant increase in visitors, the country’s image has been marred by foreign media. Recent reports have painted the country as a haven for internet scammers and kidnappers. “The situation on the ground doesn’t entirely match these negative portrayals,” Chanserey Vutha said, according to local media reports. Thourn Sinan, head of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), echoed these concerns, saying the damaging coverage has significantly impacted the return of foreign tourists, particularly from Europe and ASEAN countries like Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. Sinan noted that recent incidents involving money laundering by individuals holding Cambodian passports have further dented the country’s reputation. “We need to counter this narrative to rebuild trust among international travellers,” Sinan added. While air travel to Cambodia shows signs of robust growth, challenges remain in reassuring tourists about the safety and legitimacy of visiting the country. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Kay Rolland at [email protected]