PHNOM PENH- The State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) has announced that IndiGo Airlines (6E) has received approval from the Indian government to initiate direct flights to Cambodia in the near future, coinciding with the preparations of Cambodia Angkor Air, the national flag carrier, to launch flights to India.
Sinn Chanserey Vutha, the undersecretary of state and spokesperson for the SSCA, informed The Post on March 13th that there has been a notable increase in bilateral tourism, trade, and investment following encouragement from both sides.
IndiGo Cambodia Flights
He confirmed that both airlines had been granted government approval to operate direct flights between the two countries.
“New routes between India and Cambodia have been established with the approval of the relevant Indian authorities, who have already given clearance for the flights of both airlines. These include IndiGo Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air,” he stated.
Chanserey Vutha highlighted the necessity for each airline to adhere to their respective countries’ specific conditions and requirements and reported the Phnom Penh Post.
He mentioned that Cambodia Angkor Air (K6) is currently in the process of fulfilling these formalities and, barring any changes, anticipates that flights will commence between May and June this year.
“For IndiGo, the situation remains uncertain at present as it is still in the process of fulfilling its requirements. From our end, we are prepared to grant permission. We are awaiting the actual commencement of its flights. Before this, IndiGo must apply for a landing permit and submit its flight schedules,” he explained.
Delhi to Siem Reap Flights Approval
IndiGo Airlines, recognized as a low-cost carrier and India’s largest airline in terms of passengers carried and fleet size, has received approval from Cambodia’s authorities for a time slot to operate flights from Delhi (DEL) to Siem Reap province, the main tourist destination in the Kingdom.
Sar Sarin, the vice president of the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents (CATA), emphasized the necessity for Cambodia to diversify its selection of restaurants offering Indian cuisine, given the current limited options available.
“India represents a promising market for Cambodia due to its sizable population, akin to China’s. Therefore, we need to devise appropriate strategies to allure them, although we have yet to finalize the exact timing for their flights,” he remarked.
He further stated, “Once direct flights commence, our shared cultural affinities will serve as a compelling draw for Indian tourists.”
Chanserey Vutha highlighted the consistent rise in domestic air travel within Cambodia, with nearly 170 daily flights operating at its three international airports as of the conclusion of February.
The Leisure Destination
The Ministry of Tourism disclosed that in 2023, Cambodia greeted 5.45 million foreign tourists, marking a substantial 139.5% surge from the previous year, with 68,836 Indian visitors accounted for, representing a noteworthy 102.4% increase. Indian tourists were positioned 14th in terms of visitor volume, trailing travelers from Thailand, Vietnam, China, and Laos.
According to the General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE), bilateral trade between Cambodia and India reached $485.7 million in 2023, reflecting a 10.4% escalation from 2022.
The Kingdom’s exports to India amounted to $293.06 million, exhibiting a robust 49% upsurge, while imports from the South Asian nation experienced a decline of 20.8%, totaling $192.64 million.
Currently, India holds the position of Cambodia’s 17th-largest trading partner, according to the GDCE.
The peak number of international tourists to Cambodia was recorded in 2019, just before the onset of the pandemic, with 6.61 million visitors, marking a 6.6% increase over 2018. Among these, 75,286 were from India, denoting a growth of 14.3%, as reported by the ministry.
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