PHNOM PENH – AirAsia’s new expansion into the Cambodian market with three new domestic flights here creates a spillover effect that would benefit Malaysia and other countries in Southeast Asia, said AirAsia Aviation Group chief executive officer Bo Lingam.
During the AirAsia Cambodia ‘Ready for Takeoff’ press conference here, he said the airline now offers domestic flights to Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville, following a new aircraft operating certificate in the nation.
These flights, he added, would not only encourage travel among tourists in the Asean region but also among those travelling from China and Japan.
“It’s a two-way (benefit). It’s not just Malaysians coming here (Cambodia). We also want Cambodians to visit Malaysia. We also want people across Asean to visit, because people don’t just come to one country.
“If we give them the opportunity and network by creating packages, people can visit a few countries within a single week.
“Asean is a region with 700 million people, and everything is available here, from mountains to beaches. We want to promote Asean and showcase it to the world,” he told Malaysian reporters at the Hotel Hyatt Regency here today.
Bo said the move will result in more people flying with AirAsia due to its cheaper price, and he added that they are working with the Cambodian government to address the present airport taxes imposed on passengers, to encourage travel.
AirAsia Cambodia CEO Vissoth Nam said the company is currently in engagement sessions with the local government to express the former’s views on the existing taxes and whether a common ground could be reached for both parties.
Based on observations, the taxes on top of an AirAsia ticket fare include a passenger service fee of US$11 (RM52), civil aviation fees (US$5), a passenger service charge (US$30), and a fuel surcharge (US$16).
“We are in discussion with the Cambodian government, and it is taking the issue of tax very seriously, and has been receptive so far.
“The government has set many meetings (to discuss) all the issues that we airline firms are facing, so they are taking care of us,” he said. – March 18, 2024