Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI) is gearing up for a significant boost in international connectivity as three more airlines have confirmed their plans to launch direct flights to the Siem Reap province, home of famed ancient temples.
Domestic airline Sky Angkor Airlines will serve its direct flight between Siem Reap Angkor International Airport to Incheon, Korea in December this year, said SAI Director Bun Ratha.
Seoul-headquartered-ASIANA Airlines is set to launch direct flights from Incheon to SAI by December, he told reporters recently.
By February next year, IndiaGo, India’s leading low-cost carrier, has confirmed to add its direct flights to Siem Reap, he said.
“In upcoming months, we will have three more airlines add their direct flights to Siem Reap province,” Ratha said.
The influx of new airlines and increased flight frequencies will significantly enhance Siem Reap’s accessibility and appeal to international travelers.
In late October, two airlines launched scheduled flights from Thailand’s Bangkok and Phuket to SAI by Thai Airway and Air Asia Thailand.
Located in Tayek commune in Sotr Nikum district, about 50 kilometres from Siem Reap city, SAI commenced operations in October last year.
As a 4E-level international airport that can accommodate long-haul flights from across the globe with a 3,600-meter runway and 38 berths, the $1.1 billion-worth SAI can manage seven million passengers annually and is expected to increase its capacity to a staggering 12 million passengers a year from 2040.
SAI marked its first anniversary in October with a significant milestone of over 1.3 million passengers passing through its gates.
Mao Havannall, Minister in charge of the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation, praised the airport’s contribution to both the aviation sector and the tourism industry in Siem Reap province.
“The airport’s modern facilities and efficient operations have played a vital role in facilitating more visitors to the province, boosting the local economy and enhancing the aviation and investment sector,” Havannall said.
SAI Operators has also announced discounts on terminals and operational fees for new flights and airlines to encourage the establishment of new routes and expanding business operations at the airport to boost airlines operations.
As Siem Reap continues to attract tourists from around the world, the addition of these new airlines will further solidify its position as a must-visit destination.
Cambodia’s famed Angkor Archaeological Park received 699,850 international visitors in the first nine months of this year, up 29.7 percent from 539,561 over the same period last year.
Source: khmertimeskh
