Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - New local carrier to launch flights

New local carrier to launch flights

New local carrier to launch flights

A new local airline is applying to fly in Cambodia, according to aviation officials, at a time when the market is monopolised by national flag carrier Cambodia Angkor Air and a handful of carriers offering chartered routes.

Royal Spirit Airlines last Friday met with the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) to discuss the process of applying for an Air Operator Certificate (AOC), said Vann Chanty, director of the Air Transport Department of the SCCA, over the weekend.

It’s “what we call the introduction of applying for AOC,” Chanty said, adding that the airline would be interested in launching scheduled and on-demand (chartered) flights.

“After they get an understanding of the process, they can file the documents very soon. We expect [the application to come in] this month,” Chanty said. After the application, a minimum of 120 days must elapse before obtaining an AOC.

Chanty could not give any details on the ownership, fleet and route of the proposed new carrier until the documents are submitted: “I don’t know yet what the main intention of the airline is,” he said.

But according to a profile at the Sydney-based Centre for Aviation’s website, Royal Spirit Airlines is a proposed Cambodian start-up and is a joint venture between Taiwanese carrier Far Eastern Air Transport and Taiwanese company Huafu Enterprise Co Ltd. Its main hub will be in Siem Reap and flights will start in mid-2014, the website said.

Far Eastern Air Transport did not reply to an email yesterday. In February, the Taipei-based carrier resumed chartered direct flights from Taiwan to Cambodia after abruptly suspending the flights over a dispute with its Cambodian airline partner about unpaid aviation fuel.

In February 2012, Far Eastern grounded a plane it leased to now-bankrupt Cambodian chartered carrier Tonlesap Airlines at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport that month, saying the company owed about $105,000 in aviation fuel fees.

According to the Ministry of Commerce’s website, a company called Royal Spirit Airways Co Ltd registered with the ministry in April this year. The carrier could not be reached for comment.

Besides Royal Spirit, Cambodia Airlines, a joint venture between Philippine Airlines and Royal Group of Companies, plans to launch flights by the end of the year.

MOST VIEWED

  • Ministry orders all schools, public and private, to close for SEA Games

    From April 20 to May 18, all public and private educational institutions will be closed to maintain order and support Cambodia's hosting of the 32nd SEA Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games, said a directive from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. Cambodia will host the

  • Almost 9K tourists see equinox sunrise at Angkor Wat

    Nearly 9,000 visitors – including 2,226 international tourists – gathered at Angkor Wat on March 21 to view the spring equinox sunrise, according to a senior official of the Siem Reap provinical tourism department. Ngov Seng Kak, director of the department, said a total of 8,726 people visited Angkor Wat to

  • Angkor Beer strengthens national pride with golden new look and fresher taste

    Angkor Beer – the "Gold of Angkor" – has a new look, one that is more stylish and carries a premium appeal, as well as a fresher taste and smoother flavour, making it the perfect choice for any gathering. Angkor Beer recently launched its new design, one

  • Water supply authority assures public shortages over early ‘24

    The Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA) asked for understanding from Phnom Penh residents in some communes where water pressure is weak. They assured residents that all supply issues will be resolved by early 2024, but have suggested that residents use water sparingly in the meantime.

  • Khmer ballet documentary debuts April 1

    A new documentary, The Perfect Motion, or Tep Hattha in Khmer, will premiere to the public on April 1. The documentary film follows two intertwined storylines: the creation of a show called Metamorphosis by the late Princess Norodom Buppha Devi (her very last production) and the

  • Newest horror film showcases unique Khmer culture, identity

    At first glance, the trailer to new horror sensation The Ritual: Black Nun looks like a western-produced feature film. As the story reveals itself to the viewers, it becomes clearer that this is a Khmer film, with a strong Cambodian identity and close links to