AirAsia Aviation Group announced the launch of its fifth airline, AirAsia Cambodia, set to begin flights on May 2, 2024. The new airline will be based at Phnom Penh International Airport with an initial fleet of two Airbus A320 aircraft.
The expansion into Cambodia marks a major milestone for the Malaysian low-cost carrier as the aviation industry continues recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. AirAsia Cambodia will initially offer domestic routes from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap and Sihanoukville, with plans to grow its network in the future.
“The launch of AirAsia Cambodia is a significant milestone in our incredible journey of expansion and recovery from the turbulence posed by the pandemic,” said AirAsia Aviation Group Chairman Tan Sri Jamaludin Ibrahim. “With the aviation sector in its infancy, Cambodia and its 17 million population offers a wealth of opportunities from cultural, historical and natural experiences.”
Group CEO Bo Lingam added, “AirAsia has a long history in Cambodia and we see much untapped potential in the region, including the opportunity to train and graduate hundreds of skilled aviation workers, much like how we have done in Malaysia, Thailand and our other markets.”
Lingam stated ambitions to grow the Cambodian fleet to 60 planes within five years as part of AirAsia’s goal to cement its position as the leading budget airline across Southeast Asia. The group has over 300 new aircraft on order.
“We remain focused on building the most incredible network in our core markets with the best connectivity and flight frequencies,” Lingam said. “With the pending merger of all AirAsia airlines into a single listed company, including AirAsia X, we will have seven airlines leveraging off one another to over 130 destinations.”
AirAsia’s Cambodian expansion leverages its deep regional experience and strong brand loyalty as it aims to make air travel more affordable across Southeast Asia.
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