The direct flights to the Cambodian capital followed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on tourism cooperation at the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh on Monday, as reported by The Phnom Penh Post, a member of Asia News Network.

The direct flights to Jakarta will operate as scheduled services four days per week, using the Airbus A320 narrowbody aircraft, according to Chea Aun, permanent secretary of state at the Cambodian State Secretariat of Civil Aviation.

“Today’s event is a remarkable milestone which showcases the Bilateral Air Transport Service Agreement between Cambodia and Indonesia that was signed in 1969 and the 2006 MoU. It shows that the integration of ASEAN liberal air transportation arrangements has been proudly implemented,” Aun was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

Secretary of state at the Cambodia Tourism Ministry Thong Rathasak said the country received over 837,000 international tourists in the first two months of this year, with nearly 20,000 Indonesians.

“We expect to receive around 4.5 million international tourists this year, with over 150,000 of them coming from Indonesia. This is fitting, as 2023 marks the 64^th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations,” he said as quoted by the newspaper.

Rathasak added that in 2022, with global travel and tourism industries approaching pre-pandemic conditions, Cambodia witnessed a remarkable surge in international tourism.

Cambodia welcomed over 2.28 million international tourists, marking an increase of 1058.6 percent compared to the previous year.

“Among these tourists, Indonesians accounted for more than 75,000 visitors, an almost 800 percent increase. Tourism generated US$1.41 billion in revenue for Cambodia,” he said.

Lauti Nia Astri, Charge d’Affaires ad interim of the Indonesian embassy, congratulated Indonesia AirAsia for the inauguration of the direct flights, saying that it represents closer cooperation between the two nations.

“Direct flights shorten the distance between the two countries, deepening economic, trade and tourism ties,” she said.

Lauti added that 1,588 Cambodians visited Indonesia in the first two months of this year. There were 4,604 Cambodians visiting Indonesia in 2022 and 75,653 Indonesians going to Cambodia, she added.

Indonesia AirAsia CEO Veranita Yosephine said previous indirect routes could be as long as eight hours.

“This was too long for many businesspeople and short-term tourists,” she said.

“Many people have asked me to arrange direct Phnom Penh-Jakarta flights, and we began selling tickets at the end of March. Now people can fly between the two cities in less than three hours.”

Rathasak also invited other Indonesian carriers, such as Citilink and Garuda Airlines, to connect key tourism destinations.

He said the expansion of routes aligns with the government’s Visit Cambodia 2023 initiative, themed Every Day is a Wonder.

“Cambodia is ready to host the 32nd SEA Games from May 5 to 17 and the 12th ASEAN Para Games from June 3 to 9, for the very first time. It is also the 10th anniversary of Angkor Sangkran, so we are looking forward to welcoming many guests this year,” added Rathasak.

Indonesia AirAsia is the only airline serving the Jakarta-Phnom Penh direct route. The direct flight will start on April 19, the Indonesian Embassy in Phnom Penh said on its website.

Previously, the route was served by Citilink, which began operating on 21 June 2019, but was forced to stop in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the embassy added.

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New route to Perth

Going to Perth: Tourism Western Australia managing director Carolyn Turnbull (left to right), Indonesia AirAsia CEO Veranita Yosephine, West Australia deputy premier and tourism minister Roger Cook, Indonesian Consul General in Perth Listiana Operananta, state-owned airport operator PT Angkas Pura II commercial and services director Mohammad Rizal Pahlevi and Perth Airport acting CEO Kate Holsgrove pose during a ceremony announcing the inaugural Jakarta-Perth route at the King’s Park Botanical Garden in Perth, Australia, on March 30, 2023. The low-cost airline will serve a direct flight between Jakarta and Perth four times a week starting from June 1, 2023. (Indonesia AirAsia/-)

Meanwhile, the low-cost carrier announced on March 30 that it will start serving a route linking Jakarta to Perth, Australia, starting on June 1, becoming the only airline serving a direct route from Jakarta to the capital city of the Western Australia state.

The new route will have a frequency of four-weekly flights using the A320 aircraft with a capacity of 180 seats, the airline said in a press statement.

The flights provide a total seat capacity of more than 1,400 seats per week with a flight time of about four and a half hours.

Currently, Indonesia AirAsia flies three times a day to Perth from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, offering more than 7,000 seats per week.

Attending the announcement ceremony were Western Australia deputy premier and tourism minister Roger Cook, Indonesian Consul General in Perth Listiana Operananta, Tourism Western Australia managing director Carolyn Turnbull, Perth Airport acting CEO Kate Holsgrove, state-owned airport operator PT Angkasa Pura II commercial and services director Mohammad Rizal Pahlevi and Indonesia AirAsia’s Veranita.

“The launch of this important AirAsia flight affirms Perth’s reputation as the Western Gateway to Australia,” said Cook.

“We strongly encourage Indonesians, particularly those with friends and family in our state, to take advantage of these fantastic new flights and visit your loved ones here in Western Australia.”

Meanwhile, Listiana Operananta emphasized the importance of this new route, as it reflected the hope for recovery in various sectors, especially in the travel and tourism industry. (nvn)

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