Wednesday, February 10, 2010

July 06, 2009 19:51 PM

Cambodia Sets Up First State Carrier

PHNOM PENH, July 6 (Bernama) -- Cambodia will set up its first state-owned airline, which is expected to fly on domestic routes initially, a local daily reported Monday.

Cambodia Angkor Airline (CAA) is expected to begin its operations on July 27, and the ATR-72 aircraft would fly between Siem Reap and Preah Sihanouk province, reports the Vietnam news agency (VNA) on Monday, citing the local daily, as saying here.

According to Civil Aviation Secretary Mao Havannal, a partnership agreement which was established with Vietnam Airlines, will help to attract tourists travelling by sea to Preah Sihanouk Port to Angkor Wat.

Cambodian Government officials said Preah Sihanouk International Airport formerly known as Kang Keng Airport will be inaugurated on the same day.

He added that representatives of carriers based in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Laos would also be present at the inauguration to learn about Cambodia's air travel potential.

In the agreement, CAA will buy Airbus 320 and 321 aircraft in late 2009 and early 2010 to expand its services to countries like the Republic of Korea.

Meanwhile Managing Director of World Express Tour and Travel Ho Vandy said that CAA has been formed not only to make profits but also to benefit the Cambodian economy, especially the tourism industry.

-- BERNAMA

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