Travel to Cambodia will become more convenient, as Korea and the Southeast Asian country have agreed to liberalize air transportation between the two nations.
The Ministry of Construction and Transportation said on Wednesday (Sept. 6) that the two nations agreed to open their skies starting in 2010 during an aviation meeting held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on Monday through Tuesday.
Before 2010, the number of weekly flights between the two countries will increase from the current four to 28. The increased operations will be available from Oct. 30.
Currently, Asiana Airlines operates four weekly flights to Siem Reap, famous for its Angkor Wat ruins, and two charter flights to Phnom Penh. The new agreement will allow Korean Air to launch service to the cities as well.
Cambodia has gained popularity with the historic ruins of Angkor Wat. Due to the shortage of air service, many Korean travelers have had to transfer flights in Vietnam or Thailand.
The increase in the number of flights is also expected to bring success to the Angkor-Gyeongju World Culture EXPO, which will be held in Siem Reap in November.
Following the pact, Korea has become Cambodias top partner in the number of flights between the two. It is also the first nation that signed an open sky pact with Cambodia, outside ASEAN member countries.
This year, Korea has signed the pacts on air transportation liberalization with three other countries _ Vietnam, Thailand and China.
