AirAsia recently launched AirAsia Cambodia which has been cleared for three domestic flights to Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, and Sihanoukville.
The decision to choose Cambodia as the next hub stems from AirAsia’s vision to make ASEAN more accessible while recognising the untapped potential within the Cambodian aviation sector.
AirAsia Aviation Group Group CEO Bo Lingam, told BusinessToday exclusively that with a rich history in Cambodia and a longstanding commitment to the region, AirAsia aims to replicate its success in Malaysia, Thailand, and other countries where it operates.
“AirAsia has a long history in Cambodia, and we see much untapped potential in the region, we see much untapped potential in the region, including the opportunity to train and graduate hundreds of skilled pilots, engineers, and other professional aviation skilled workers, much like how we have done in Malaysia, Thailand and the rest of the countries we operate in,” Bo said.
“The launch of AirAsia Cambodia further cements our mission to truly own ASEAN for affordable travel, where our brand and footprint are the strongest.” he added.
The Journey of Routes Into Cambodia
The company’s expansion strategy involves collaboration with local partners, exemplified by the joint venture signed with Sivilai Asia in December 2022.
This partnership, coupled with support from the Cambodian government and tourism entities, underscores the collaborative effort to bring AirAsia’s renowned services to the Cambodian market, Bo said.
Future Goal and Expansion Plan
In terms of targets, AirAsia aims to transport up to 2.5 million passengers to and from Cambodia in 2024 once they commence their international flights. Highlighting the potential growth, AirAsia aims to increase passenger volume significantly.
“We have operated six routes into Cambodia, serving 1.3 million guests annually. With the launch of our international flights, we aim to escalate this figure to 2.5 million guests travelling to and from Cambodia,” Bo said.
While initially focusing on existing stations within a four-hour radius from Cambodia, the long-term vision includes expanding the network to encompass destinations in North Asia and beyond, enriching Cambodia’s connectivity options.
“We are optimistic about launching international destinations from Cambodia including Thailand, Singapore, and Vietnam. We anticipate announcing these in the third quarter of this year,” Bo said.
Additionally, Bo emphasised on AirAsia’s vision to expand AirAsia Cambodia to a fleet of 60 aircraft within the next five years, to enable them to enhance flight frequencies in the future.
Furthermore, AirAsia’s expansion into Cambodia extends beyond passenger services, with plans to venture into cargo and MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) services.
“With our strong brand presence and loyal customer base, AirAsia is poised to make a significant impact in Cambodia’s aviation landscape, including in the areas of cargo and MRO services,” Bo added.
This move underscores AirAsia’s commitment to leveraging its brand presence and expertise to make a substantial impact on Cambodia’s aviation landscape.
