Chinese airlines eye Cambodian market

Three more Chinese airlines will enter the local aviation market in the near future, with the number of routes connecting Chinese and Cambodian cities also expected to rise, according to an industry insider. Sichuan Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines and Ruili Airlines will start operations in Cambodia by the end of 2017 or the start of next year, said Eric Delobel, CEO of Cambodia Airports, who was speaking during a forum on the potential of Chinese tourism last week.

“Cambodia will welcome three more airlines thanks to an increasing number of routes connecting both nations,” Mr Delobel said. The new routes mentioned by Mr Delobel are Sihanoukville-Guangzhou, Sihanoukville-Kunming, Phnom Penh-Sanming and Phnom Penh-Shenzhen.

Chinese visitors account for roughly one third of total passengers in the kingdom’s three international airports, according to Mr Delobel. “Chinese routes represent almost 20 percent of all routes operated from Phnom Penh International Airport and more than 25 percent from Siem Reap International Airport.

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FYI: a lot of casinos for Chinese gamblers in Sihanoukville, nowadays. Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville takes now 5 - 6 hours by road. To fly from China directly to Sihanoukville to gamble (or enjoy the sea) makes sense.

 

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