PHNOM PENH (The Phnom Penh/Asia News Network): Vietnamese-owned Bamboo Airways JSC on Aug 7 debuted its first route to Cambodia, from Hanoi to Siem Reap – home of the world’s largest religious complex Angkor Wat – to capitalise on consumers’ pent-up demand for travel, after the Kingdom and Vietnam rolled back Covid-19 restrictions.
The inaugural flight landed at Siem Reap International Airport at 7:20pm, “which marked a next crucial step in the airline’s roadmap of expanding international network”, Cambodia Airports, the long-standing owner and manager of the Kingdom’s three international airports, said in a statement.
“On this new route, Bamboo Airways operates the modern Embraer-190 aircraft, thus bringing utmost convenience and flight experience beyond expectations for its passengers,” it added.
Speaking in the statement, Bamboo Airways deputy chief commercial officer Thach Pierre Hoang lauded the flight as a significant step for the carrier in expanding its business internationally and providing top-quality services for passengers.
“This first non-stop Hanoi-Siem Reap flight is Bamboo Airways’ next effort in our journey of expanding international presence.
"We are more than delighted to offer five-star oriented services at Siem Reap International Airport and look forward to leveraging this valuable partnership with many more upcoming routes in the future.
“We expect our new Vietnam-Cambodia route will fulfil its crucial role as aviation bridge and make a substantial contribution to the development of both countries in all aspects such as tourism, economy, culture,” he said.
Cambodia Airports chief commercial officer Stephen King said in the statement: “In this challenging time, it is a breakthrough to welcome a new carrier.
“We are delighted to welcome Bamboo Airways today. We know passengers will appreciate the extra choice offered by the airline’s new service linking Vietnam’s vibrant capital Hanoi and the wonderful city of Siem Reap.
“This is a further sign of the rebuilding of tourism after the successful vaccination campaign led by Cambodian authorities and subsequent reopening of the Kingdom’s borders. We look forward to welcoming new routes between our two countries partnering with Bamboo Airways in the coming months,” he said.
The statement added: “Siem Reap International Airport had started witnessing the return of international flights in December 2021 after a 20-month hiatus resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic and its impacts on air travel. It currently accommodates routes from and to Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City, Danang, Hanoi, and two domestic liaisons.”
Bamboo Airways revealed in a notice that the flight number for the Hanoi-Siem Reap route is QH 9173, but did not mention the frequency of the flight or if there were plans for a route in the opposite direction.
Speaking at Routes Asia 2022, held from June 6-8 in Danang, Bamboo Airways’ Thach highlighted some of the airlines’ pursuits to expand its network and attract more foreign passengers, including talks with Japan Airlines Co Ltd, Virgin Australia Airlines Pty Ltd and Air Canada on potential interlining pacts as early as next year, according to industry reports.
Cambodia welcomed 506,762 international arrivals in the first half of 2022, which marks a 394.1 per cent year-on-year surge, but an 84.8 per cent drop from the same period in 2019, according to a tourism ministry report.
The report also revealed that holidaymakers made 6.33 million domestic trips in the first half, up by 219.3 per cent on a yearly basis, of which foreign residents accounted for 0.68 million, marking a 380.3 per cent year-on-year rise.
