by Joachim Fischer, Phnom Penh
In July 2009 the Royal Government of Cambodia inaugurated its new national flag carrier – Cambodia Angkor Air ( CA Air). The airline is a joint venture between the Royal Government of Cambodia and Vietnam Airlines Co. ltd., which are shared by 51 percents and 49 percents respectively.
At the present time, CA Air is offering a domestic route between Phnom Penh- Siem Reap with four flights daily and international routes between Phnom Penh – Ho Chi Minh City with two flights daily, and between Siem reap – Ho Chi Minh City with three flights daily by using two brand new ATR-72-500 turboprop planes and an Airbus A 321 jet. To ensure its fleet well maintained at the highest level of safety and reliability, CA Air receives comprehensive technical support from Vietnam Airlines.
In 2010 which was the establishment year that required CA Air to fulfill all procedures and regulations required by the Civil Aviation Aurhorities, to set-up its office, to recruit staffs and training, to launch its marketing activities etc.. However, CA Air tried to offer its service with 6.100 flights and 5.500 flying hours with absolute safe and secure to all its passengers. A total of 329.293passengers were carried in which 106.995 passengers and 222.298 passengers were flown by domestic flights and international flights respectively. An average of its load factor for each flight was 60% . Notably, within one year of its operations, CA Air has received remarkable achievements such as:
March 2010: receipt of the delivery of two-brand new ATR 72-500
May 2010: cut-over booking and reservation system from Vietnam Airlines by introducing its new CRS-Sabre System which CA Air is able to issue E-Tickets and connect to other world-wide CRS. In addition, soon, customers can book their tickets on CA Air´s website.
May 2010: 14 Cambodian flight attendants completed the training program that recognized and certified by the relevant Civil Aviation Authorities. August 2010: receipt of Air Operator Certificate ( AOC) granted by the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation ( SSCA) of Cambodia. December 2010: Introduction of the first edition of in-flight magazine named, “Angkor”.
In 2011 , CA Air will introduce more fleet with two more brand new Airbus 321 that shall be increased from3 to 5 airplanes. The new regional destinations included Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Tokyo or Osaka and some cities in China shall be added into its route development plan.
