Cambodia Angkor eyes ASEAN cities

Cambodia Angkor Air announced, Wednesday,during the ASEAN Tourism Forum, it will introduce two more Airbus 321s in 2011 and plans to buy more raising fleet strength to five of the regional jets.It currently operates a single Airbus 321 for international routes and two ATR72-500 between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap; its sole domestic service.

Hosting a buyers and media lunch at this year’s ATF, the airline’s management said it would commission  A321s due for delivery in 2011 and 2012 to add regional destinations such as Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Tokyo, or Osaka in Japan, and some cities in China over the next three years.

ASEAN destinations are a priority,  the airline told buyers to ensure visitors to Cambodia can gain convenient access to Phnom Penh from major gateways.Established as the national airline, in February 2010, the airline began domestic flights between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap using a 70-seat ATR 72-500s and limited international services later in the year.

It cut over its bookings from Vietnam Airlines, a major shareholder in the venture, last May, using Sabre as its CRS, while introducing direct sales through its website www.cambodiaangkorair.comThe airline received its air operator’s certificate from the Civil Aviation of Cambodia last August.

In its latest business report, the airline confirmed it carried 329,293 passengers, of which 222,298 flew domestic services and the balance on flights from the Cambodian capital and Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. It claims an average cabin factor of 60% in 2010.

Source = ttrweekly