Siem Reap Airport

Cambodia Angkor Air plans network and fleet expansion ahead of PAL-backed Cambodia Airlines launch

Cambodia Angkor Air is planning rapid fleet and network expansion as competition intensifies in the Cambodian market. The Cambodian flag carrier is expected to more than double its fleet by the end of 2015 and launch services to several new markets, including mainland China, Hong Kong, India and South Korea. Cambodia Angkor Air was established in 2009 as a joint venture with Vietnam Airlines but remains one of the smallest flag carriers in Southeast Asia, only operating domestically and to two neighbouring countries.

Cambodia Angkor Air has already seen its most dramatic expansion in its four-year history, launching three international routes over the last six months. Further rapid expansion of Cambodia Angkor Air and the planned launch of a second Cambodian scheduled carrier that will be affiliated with Philippine Airlines (PAL) should lead to more rapid growth in the Cambodian market. The Cambodian passenger market grew by 18% in 2012 and by 21% in 1Q2013, based on figures from Cambodia Airports.

Cambodia poised for more double-digit growth as Cambodia Angkor Air expands and Qatar Airways enters

The Cambodian market is poised for more rapid growth in 2013 after quietly expanding by 18% in 2012, making it one of the fastest growing markets in Asia. Flag carrier Cambodia Angkor Air is pursuing significant expansion albeit from a very small base while international carriers are also continuing to add services in the Cambodian market.

The Mar-2013 suspension of service from Air France, which became in 2011 the first European carrier to serve Cambodia in decades, is a blow for the country’s emerging economy and tourism industry. But the loss of Air France is being offset by the addition of Qatar Airways, which will become in Feb-2013 the first Gulf carrier to serve Cambodia. Qatar could be followed by other Gulf carriers as well as more LCCs from the more traditional markets of Southeast and North Asia, which in recent years have been consistently building up their operations in Cambodia.

Cambodia Airports records strong traffic growth as one of ASEAN's smallest markets shows potential

Cambodia Airports has been experiencing strong traffic growth in 2011 as traffic at Siem Reap recovers to 2007 levels. The recently rebranded airport operator, which is owned primarily by French firm Vinci, expects continued growth at Siem Reap and Phnom Penh while it continues to work on attracting a carrier to its third airport at Sihanoukville.