Asian carrier Hong Kong Airlines launched flights into Cambodia at the end of last month as it continues to expand its international activities. The airline is offering a three times weekly service between its Hong Kong International Airport base and Phnom Penh International Airport, a route it previously served for a limited period between December 2014 and February 2015.

The new scheduled service, which commenced on February 27, 2016 and is flown using Airbus A320 equipment. It boosts the Hong Kong Airlines route network to more than 30 cities across the Asia-Pacific region and alongside supporting increasing local demand in and out of Cambodia, a developing business and leisure market, will provide transfer flows across its wider route map.

“We are glad to see overwhelming response from travellers for the launch of Phnom Penh route. No matter for business or leisure travellers, the booming economic growth in Cambodia and distinctive tourist attractions like royal palaces are greatly attractive,” said Li Dianchun, Chief Commercial Officer, Hong Kong Airlines.

“With this new route, we hope to show passengers from around the world the beauty and ancient charm of Phnom Penh, and promote the connection between two cities,” he added.

The carrier has grown its activities at Hong Kong International Airport to now hold an 8.3 percent capacity share based on published schedules for 2016, according to data intelligence provider OAG. This year it will offer more than 3.7 million seats from the Chinese territory. Its low-cost sister company HK Express, a standalone entity has also grown and will this year offer almost 1.5 million seats, a 3.4 percent capacity share.

The return of the Hong Kong – Phnom Penh operation will place Hong Kong Airlines in competition with Dragonair, which will soon be renamed Cathay Dragon to emphasise its relationship with Hong Kong’s largest air carrier, Cathay Pacific. It also offers flights between Hong Kong and Siem Reap in Cambodia, a market that HK Express introduced in September 2015.