Transport: Direct flights between Xi'an and Phnom Penh officially resume

Spring Airlines landed its first flight at Phnom Penh International Airport on Sunday 29 December 2024, marking the official resumption of direct flights between Xi'an and Phnom Penh.

The welcome ceremony was presided over by Mao Havannal, Minister in charge of the Secretariat of State for Civil Aviation, Huot Hak, Minister of Tourism, and Wang Wenbin, Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia

Mao Havannal stressed the importance of direct flights in strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations, and the substantial impact on the growth of Chinese tourism in Cambodia. He pointed to the steady increase in air travel, stating that Cambodia is expected to welcome around 5.6 million air travellers in 2024, with figures set to rise to over 7 million a year by 2025.

To meet this growing demand, Mao Havannal stressed the importance of preparing air infrastructure in accordance with civil aviation laws and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) guidelines.

The Chinese Ambassador, Wang Wenbin, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration between the State Secretariat for Civil Aviation and the Ministry of Tourism, which has strengthened tourism relations and facilitated the resumption of flights. He said:

”I am delighted to be working with the State Secretariat for Civil Aviation and the Ministry of Tourism to welcome Chinese tourists, which has contributed to the increase in flights between Xi'an and Phnom Penh.”

The ambassador also emphasised the central role of tourism in the Cambodian economy and its ability to foster cultural exchanges, stressing the importance of this collaboration in strengthening the bond between the two nations.

In 2019, Spring Airlines operated 62 weekly flights between Cambodia and China. On 31 December 2024, the airline resumed service, with flights scheduled three times a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.