Cambodia Angkor Air, the flagship carrier of Cambodia, announced yesterday the launch of its inaugural direct flight to India, establishing a new air bridge between the Southeast Asian nation and the bustling city of New Delhi. Set to commence operations on June 16, the route will link Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital, with the vibrant Indian metropolis.

Scheduled to fly four times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, this service marks a significant milestone in air travel connectivity between the two countries.

Expressing optimism about the prospects of this new route, Koy Kuong, the Ambassador of the Royal Embassy of Cambodia to India, emphasized the potential for a substantial increase in tourist traffic between the two nations. He envisaged a doubling of tourist arrivals year-on-year, attributing this projection to the enhanced convenience of direct flights and the burgeoning demand for medical tourism in India.

According to Kuong, prior to the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, approximately 75,000 Indian travelers visited Cambodia annually. However, recent figures from 2021 indicate a decline, with around 45,000 Indian visitors per year. Despite this setback, the Ambassador remains hopeful, underscoring the allure of India as a destination for medical treatment due to its comparatively lower healthcare costs compared to neighboring countries.

Eng Molina, the Chief Commercial Officer of Cambodia Angkor Airlines, shed light on the pricing structure for the newly launched route. A round trip from New Delhi to Phnom Penh is estimated to cost around INR 23,000 per person, inclusive of taxes, making air travel between the two capitals more accessible to a wider range of travelers.