AirAsia Cambodia (KT, Phnom Penh) will commence revenue operations on May 2, 2024, using two A320-200s to run a triangular three route network - Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, Phnom Penh - Sihanoukville, and Siem Reap - Sihanoukville. Capital A, the parent company of AirAsia (AK, Kuala Lumpur International) and its affiliated sister airlines, confirmed the start date in a March 18, 2024, media statement.
"Our vision is to transform the way people travel in Cambodia and make air travel an integral part of the country's transportation network," said AirAsia Cambodia CEO Vissoth Nam. "We are confident that AirAsia Cambodia will play a pivotal role in reshaping the country's aviation landscape, contributing to fostering the local economy by providing jobs to locals and unconditionally supporting Cambodia's government aspirations for economic growth and tourism development.”
AirAsia Cambodia is a 51/49 joint venture between Capital A subsidiary AirAsia Aviation Group and local hospitality group Sivilai Asia. In a December 2022 Bursa Malaysia filing, Capital A said the joint venture partners would provide an initial capital contribution of USD5 million to launch the LCC, with Capital A tipping in USD2.55 million and Sivilai Asia the remainder. At the time, Capital A said that it expects AirAsia Cambodia's paid-up capital over the longer term to increase to USD25 million.
Capital A CEO Tony Fernandes has previously said he expects the AirAsia Cambodia fleet to expand to as many as 15 aircraft and focus on servicing routes within four hour's flying time of the country. AirAsia Cambodia will become the fifth scheduled passenger carrier based in the country, alongside Cambodia Airways, Cambodia Angkor Air, Lanmei Airlines, and Sky Angkor Airlines.
