Cambodia approves fifth freedom

July 07, 2016 GoAsiaDayTrip 0 Comments

PHNOM PENH, 6 July 2016: Cambodia’s National Assembly approved, late last week, a draft law on the implementation of the fifth freedom protocol in the country’s aviation industry.

It gives an airline the right to fly beyond the second country to a third country with the right to sell tickets in the second country.

Fifth freedom rights will grant airlines the privilege of selling onward travel from Cambodian airports making routes more lucrative. Most airlines work with third and fourth freedom rights that give them full access between two countries. The right to fly beyond the second country to a third destination in another country is part of the ASEAN Single Aviation Agreement.

Phnom Penh Post quoted State Secretariat of Civil Aviation spokesman, Sinn Chanserey Vutha, saying the aviation body has successfully lobbied to have the National Assembly approve the aviation protocol, which will encourage the growth and development of Cambodia’s aviation sector.

Fifth freedom rights will improve air connectivity, increase air traffic and lead to healthy competition, he said.

The draft law will now be submitted to the Senate for approval, and the SSCA will inform ASEAN of any change in status, the spokesperson added.

Last year, Cambodia Airports, who manages three international airports in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville, handled 6.4 million passengers and 70,000 flights movements, an increase of 13.0% and 9.2% respectively compared to 2014.