Phnom penh: Air Cambodia, the national flag carrier of Cambodia, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hainan Airport Infrastructure Co., Ltd., a prominent subsidiary of Hainan Development Holdings Co., Ltd. The agreement outlines a structured plan for expanding passenger air routes between Cambodia and Hainan. It also includes the rollout of cross-border flights under the Fifth and Seventh Freedoms of the Air, aiming to deepen civil aviation and cultural-tourism cooperation between China and Cambodia.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the signing ceremony took place in Phnom Penh on June 8, attended by Air Cambodia's Vice Chairman and CEO, Mr. Zhan David, and Mr. Li Guohong, President of Hainan Development Holdings Co., Ltd. H.E. Sinn Chanserey Vutha, Secretary of State and Spokesperson, was also present to witness the event and deliver a speech. He highlighted the MoU as a strategic connectivity initiative rather than just a route expansion agreement.
H.E. Sinn Chanserey Vutha emphasized that the MoU's greatest value lies in strengthening aviation cooperation between Cambodia and China. It is expected to support tourism and economic growth, enhance the use of Cambodia's new airport infrastructure, and advance Cambodia's goal of becoming a more connected and competitive aviation gateway in ASEAN. However, he noted that future developments depend on regulatory approvals, operational readiness, and commercial viability.
Hainan Airport Infrastructure Co., Ltd., a state-owned operator under Hainan Development Holdings, manages 11 airports across Hainan Province. This includes major hubs like Haikou Meilan International Airport and Sanya Phoenix International Airport, aiming to build a regional aviation hub connecting the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
Air Cambodia has gained operational approval to exercise the Seventh Freedom of the Air for flights to and from Hainan. With the upcoming visa-free entry policy for Chinese nationals to Cambodia, significant growth in tourist travel demand is anticipated. To support this, Air Cambodia plans to introduce 20 COMAC C909 aircraft and 20 Boeing 737 MAX new-generation aircraft in batches, enhancing its fleet capability for the new routes.
Both parties have agreed to establish a regular communication mechanism to exchange updates on civil aviation policies, cross-border regulations, and tourism resources. This aims to optimize ground service arrangements and improve the overall passenger travel experience.
The MoU between Air Cambodia and Hainan Airport represents a swift and concrete follow-up on the consensus reached in a recent ministerial meeting, further solidifying the collaboration between the two regions.