Study to shed light on air connectivity in Mekong region

New research will soon shed light on the challenges and opportunities in boosting the number of air links between Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and China.

Carried out as part of the Mekong Lancang Cooperation Framework, the study, which was launched in April and is expected to conclude in September next year, will provide insight into the most efficient ways of enhancing air connectivity between the four countries.

“This project will provide the knowledge base needed to upgrade the air transport industry in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and China,” said Mao Havannal, Cambodia’s Secretary of State for Civil Aviation.

“It will help enhance standards of quality in the aviation industry as well as in related industries like tourism,” he added.

Mr Havannal was speaking at a workshop on air connectivity in the region held on Thursday in Phnom Penh.

He said the study will help industry insiders understand the effects that better air connectivity in the region will have on economic growth, as well as provide important insight on how to encourage airlines to establish new routes connecting each country.

Mr Havannal further added that the study will yield important information on how to get companies and governments to up investments in airport facilities.

State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) spokesperson Sinn Chanserey Vutha told Khmer Times that the study will look into a wide variety of issues, including the main barriers to connectivity in each country as well as airports’ current capacity.

“When completed, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and China will use the findings to set up strategies to improve air connectivity between the four countries,” Mr Chanserey Vutha said.

“Better air connectivity will help boost the number of tourist arrivals, aiding the growth of the economy, attracting investment and generating jobs.”

Thoun Sinan, chairman of the Pacific Asia Travel Association, said the number of air connections currently in place in the region is insufficient, adding that this project holds the potential to ameliorate the situation.

Read more...