From Khmer Times

AirAsia, one of the leading airlines in the region, has confirmed the opening of a branch in Cambodia in early 2023, naming it AirAsia Cambodia, it’s fifth branch in the ASEAN region – and claims it will bring 3-4 million tourists to Cambodia per year.

During a meeting with Chea Bora, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Tourism on December 8, 2022, Tony Fernandes, CEO of Capital A (changed from AirAsia Group), said that his company was in the process of establishing a branch in Cambodia under the name AirAsia Cambodia.

Mr Fernandes said that on December 9, 2022, his company will sign a memorandum of understanding with local companies in Phnom Penh to set up AirAsia Cambodia in Cambodia in January 2023.

Cambodia will be the fifth country in ASEAN to have AirAsia headquarters after Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand.

In addition, AirAsia also has offices outside the region, such as in Japan and India.

During the meeting at the Ministry of Tourism, the Director General of AirAsia also confirmed that his company plans to attract 3-4 million tourists and travelers to Cambodia per year, with the first step of the company plans to launch four Airbus A321 aircraft connecting destinations in ASEAN, Japan, India and China, as well as domestic destinations such as Phnom Penh-Siem Reap, Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville.

According to the Director General of AirAsia, the priority destination for connecting direct flights to Cambodia is the ASEAN countries.

In addition, AirAsia is also interested in connecting direct flights from China to Cambodia and from India to Cambodia.

According to Mr Fernandes , the Airbus A321 can carry about 200 passengers, and if the number of passengers increases, the company will increase the number of aircraft.

Cambodia does not yet have direct flights with India, so once a direct flight agreement is agreed and operated in the future, AirAsia will play a key role in transporting tourists by air.

This is at the same time as Mr Fernandes is trying to stave off insolvency!