Cambodia and Middle East countries including Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, as well as Europe, including Turkey have signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) aimed at promoting direct flights, international passenger and freight traffic.
The MoUs were signed separately by Mao Havannall, Minister in Charge of the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) and representative of the Middle East countries during the ICAO Air Services Negotiation Event (October 21-25) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The MoUs outline the implementation of co-terminal rights, a measure designed to facilitate seamless connections and enhance air travel between countries and the Middle East nations, said SSCA Secretary of State and Spokesman Sinn Chanserey Vutha.
Vutha expressed optimism about the potential benefits of this partnership, emphasizing that the MoUs would not only stimulate economic growth but also strengthen cultural and diplomatic ties between countries and connections from other countries under codeshare agreements.
“The co-terminal rights granted under the MoUs will allow airlines from signatory countries to operate flights beyond their designated destination to other points within the other nation’s territory,” Vutha told Khmer Times yesterday.
This flexibility is expected to encourage airlines to launch new routes and increase flight frequency, providing travellers with more convenient and affordable options, he added.
“Due to market conditions, the co-terminal right will allow airlines to operate picking up or drop off passengers in second and third countries before the final destination,” he added.
The MoUs also include provisions for cooperation in other areas related to aviation, such as air safety, security and training.
The term “co-terminal rights” refers to the right of the designated airline(s) of each Contracting Party to serve two or more points in another Contracting Party on the same routing and shall only be available as part of an international journey.
The government has pinned targets on making more air connections with the region and across the world.
SSCA will continue the open sky policy, strengthen aviation safety and security, and expand airport infrastructure.
Currently, 31 domestic and international airlines are operating air service in Cambodia including from eight ASEAN countries, China, Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and some countries in the Middle East.
Figures from SSCA showed that in the first half of 2024, the country’s three international airports handled a combined 3.03 million air passengers from January to June, up 22 percent from 2.48 million recorded in the same period last year.
Source: khmertimeskh
