Cambodia to launch first flight to coastal tourism hub

[XINHUA]

PHNOM PENH -- Cambodia has planned to launch the first flight between the cultural province Siem Reap and the coastal province Preah Sihanouk from November 15, 2011, Ou Serei Sopheap, the general manager of TonleSap Airlines, said on Tuesday.

She said the company would operate two regular flights a week between Siem Reap and Preah Sihanouk.

"The flight route between the two destinations has been fully supported by the government," she said. "Through the upcoming scheduled flights, it will help develop Cambodia's tourism industry."

Siem Reap houses the World Heritage site, Angkor Wat temples, located some 314 kilometers north of Phnom Penh, while Preah Sihanouk is situated about 230 kilometers southwest of Phnom Penh.

TonleSap Airlines took to the sky in January 2011. It is currently providing regular flights to Nanning, Shenzhen, Huzhou in China, Utaphao in Thailand, Hanoi in Vietnam and Luang Prabang in Laos.

Preah Sihanouk is the country's largest seaside province, and it also houses the country's main port.