CAMBODIA’s southern coastal province of Sihanoukville has finally received scheduled flights with Cambodia Angkor Air’s launch of thrice-weekly services from Siem Reap.

The flag carrier inaugurated the route on December 19, which it operates to Sihanoukville International Airport using a 65-seat ATR72 aircraft.

One of the country’s three airports that are developed and managed by Cambodia Airports, Sihanoukville International Airport had not attracted any regular flights up until now.

Cambodia Airports CEO Emmanuel Menanteau said: “We are proud and delighted to have the national flag carrier be the first airline to launch scheduled flights to/from Sihanouk International Airport.

“Regular air access is critical to unlock the huge potential of the Kingdom’s coastal area, to create opportunities for tourism and trade and to drive the socio-economic development of Cambodia,” he added.

Cambodia Airports has so far invested more than US$30 million on the development of Sihanoukville Airport, including an extension of the runway from 1,400m to 2,500m, an enlargement of its shoulders to 45m, and the doubling of passenger terminal floor area to 1,000m².