• Society

Emirates Resumes Flights to Phnom Penh 

• By Meng Seavmey
• May 2, 2024 4:10 PM

PHNOM PENH – The first Emirates airline flight to Cambodia after the COVID-19 pandemic arrived at the Phnom Penh International Airport on May 1.

Mao Havannall, Minister in charge of Civil Aviation at the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation, welcomed the crew and hundreds of passengers at the VIP terminal. 

He said it was a special arrival that “presents a new opportunity for the Cambodia-Dubai airway connection.”

Photo_ Meng Seavmey

The one-stop flight of the United Arab Emirates-owned airline went through Singapore. Passengers were welcomed with a Khmer traditional performance, chhay yam (drum dance), a Khmer scarf and a fresh jasmine garland. 

“The operation has been resumed based on the stability of economic recovery after the pandemic,” said Havannall, thanking Emirates for their consideration on the resumption. 

The flight was operated by a three class Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, as it used to be before COVID. 

Emirates executive vice president Nabil Sultan said, “Cambodia’s rich cultural heritage and growing economy make it an attractive destination for leisure and business travel. 

“We’re excited for this unique gateway to once again join our already extensive far east network.” 

Through the resumption, the Emirates is able to “support the trade and business movement between the two regional hubs and facilitate the convenient shipment of imports and exports between Singapore, Cambodia, and the UAE as well as other markets globally,” he added. 

Orhan Abbas, senior vice president of commercial operations far east, said the resumption was made at the right time because Cambodia’s gross domestic product and tourism were growing remarkably. 

He said he had been surprised by the number of passengers who had booked seats in the few days before the flight. 

“We've come at the right time. And this time, the operation will be very successful,” he said, adding that the airline will offer seven flights a week. 

In 2023, Cambodia received 5.45 million international tourists, up 140 percent 2022. The country earned $3 billion from tourism in 2023, up 115 percent on 2022.

The GDP per capita was estimated to increase by eight percent this year, to $2,071 from $1,917 last year, while the economic growth was also projected to reach 6.6 percent — which would increase the GDP to 142,957 million riel (about $35 billion), according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance.