Wednesday, 21 October 2009
(Posted by CAAI News Media)
Air traffic to Cambodia’s recently revamped Preah Sihanouk International Airport is on track to start from November, officials said last week.
“I went to check all the technical equipment last Friday” State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) Secretary of State Mao Havannal told the Phnom Penh Post on Tuesday.
“Everything is in place and complies with international standards” he said referring to the refurbishments completed by Societe Concessionnaire des Aeroports (SCA).
Mao Havannal said the launch of the airport would be presided over by Prime Minister Hun Sen and top officials from France including French Prime Minister Nicholas Sarkozy.
The launch will see national carrier Cambodia Angkor Air offer chartered services to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap from Sihanoukville.
Soy Sokhan, SSCA undersecretary of state in charge of CAA, said the airline was still considering the feasibility of establishing regular flights on those routes.
“Firstly, we need to complete a market survey looking at the number of tourists, and contact with travel agents who book passengers on cruises to get an idea of potential demand,” he said.
According to Mao Havannal, Siem Reap Airways may be unable to fly from the airport as it has not registered any planes in Cambodia, a requirement for domestic operators to receive an Air Operator Certificate (AOC).
“I don’t know for sure if Siem Reap Airways will be able to fly or not” said Mao Havannal.
“It depends on the airline because we have already confirmed with them that if they want to resume their operations, they need to register an airplane [in Cambodia].
“It already completely complies with SSCA requirements and has satisfied concerns over its operations.”
SCA will announce its flight schedule for Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanouk international airport on October 21.
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