AirAsia Cambodia Delays Operational Start To Mid-2024
AirAsia’s Cambodia unit, which was announced towards the end of 2022 and initially planned to launch in 2023, is now expected to only commence operations in the middle of 2024 in the Kingdom.
The postponed launch will be at least six months later than originally planned - neither the group’s fifth airline unit nor the carrier or AirAsia group, indicated any reasons for the delay. The AirAsia group holds a 51% shareholding in the new carrier, while Cambodian firm Sivilai Asia accounts for the remainder of the ownership and there has been scant news from the firm since its launch PR.
- In October 2023, AirAsia And Oriental Bank Plc confirmed they had signed a merchant service agreement & digital payment solutions.
- Initially, AirAisa Cambodia was going to launch from Phnom Penh but it moved operations to the new Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport (SAI) to utilise 16 check-in counters at the terminal at Row C01-C16.
- Capital A increased its stake in a local ground services company called ADE Cambodia to 60 per cent in late 2023 - they will be providing maintenance services, component and warehouse services, engineering support services, and digital and innovation services to aircraft, including repair and maintenance of aircraft and/or engines, consultancy, and training.
Several local Cambodian media outlets reported that an AirAsia Cambodia document (which we have not seen) has allegedly outlined some potential improvements to Cambodia’s tourism sector, marketing the country, and suggesting a more relaxed visa scheme to make Cambodia more attractive as a tourist hub.
AirAsia Expansion Plans
The AirAsia airline group is also considering launching from other regions in Asia. Initially, AirAsia Aviation did not say where it intends to base its newest units but reports suggest they are looking at starting operational units in Singapore and Vietnam, according to Tony Fernandes, Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia’s parent Capital A Bhd.
AirAsia already operates units in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines, but also plans to "double down on expanding operations to India and China, taking advantage of strong demand as well as visa-free arrangements." 
Cambodian Air Connectivity 2024
The news in the first week of March 2024 comes as several new or renewed flights have been announced from Cambodia. Undersecretary of State and Spokesperson for Civil Aviation, Mr Sin Chanserivutha, said at the start of March 2024 that there has only been a slight increase in the number of flights in Cambodia’s three international airports - Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville. By the end of February 2024, there were 168 international flights per day to Cambodian airports.