Week 686

The Mirror, Vol. 14, No. 686

On Monday, the Phnom Penh Post reported that the French airline “Air France eyes Cambodian skies.”

The report said also that the French ambassador was asking for support from the Cambodian government, and also, that Prime Minister Hun Sen “highly encourages the airliner’s intention to invest.” Also the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents is, of course, interested, this “would provide additional opportunities for French and European tourists to visit Cambodia.” At present visitors from Europe have to travel through Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. “We hope the planned direct flight would lure many tourists from France and Europe since it would reduce travel time and expense.”

That this plan is not only considering Cambodia interests but also the role of European airlines is hinted at by a reference to Emirates and other Arab Gulf airlines which have been expanding their services from Europe – via their own home bases – also to South East Asia already.

When, in April 2009, the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Sheik Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabr Al-Thani, visited Cambodia, it was not only reported that four additional labor markets for Cambodian workers abroad would be added – Hong Kong, Kuwait, Macao, and Qatar – but also that Qatar Airways might establish flights to Cambodia. The Mirror had reported about these contacts.

When there are alternatives to chose from, “travel time and expenses” influence which airlines passengers choose.

During my present stay in Germany, the major promotion to travel to Cambodia to visit Angkor Wat I saw were from Vietnam Airlines, to travel from Germany via Ho Chi Minh City to Cambodia and back for Euro 919 – at present corresponding to about US$1,280; Vietnam Airlines flies also from Paris. Thai Airways flies to several destinations in Europe; their web site offers most flights from Phnom Penh via Bangkok to Germany from Euro 985 to Euro 1180 [at present approx. US$1,360 to 1,630].

I saw the following posters in Berlin, Frankfurt, and Hamburg.

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