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AFD commits to strengthening Cambodia's air sector
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With the construction of Dara Sakor International Airport nearing completion and growth in air travel expected in the coming years, improving air safety has become a key issue for Cambodia. AFD is supporting this sector with a new €450,000 grant.
Air travel in Cambodia has been growing steadily and significantly, notably due to the development of tourism in the country, along with its strong economic recovery. In 2018, the number of passengers using the airports of Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville exceeded 10 million, an annual increase of 13.6%. After a drastic reduction in air traffic for almost two years due to the Covid-19 epidemic, air transport is expected to pick up rapidly in 2022.
Strengthening air safety
The resumption of air travel, and increase in traffic expected for the coming years make it necessary to be more vigilant in terms of air safety. AFD has allocated a €450,000 grant to support this objective.
This project aims to improve air safety by strengthening the capacity of the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA), which is responsible for airport safety, in terms of monitoring maintenance activities and aeromedical skills. The support also includes assistance in improving the consideration of sustainable development, particularly by reducing the carbon footprint of the Kingdom's airports.
"This signing ceremony is a testimony to the historical partnership between France and the Kingdom of Cambodia, and the good cooperation between our two civil aviation authorities," said Dr. Mao Havannall, Minister of the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation. “This new capacity building project will enhance the safety and environmental performance of Cambodia's airport sector, and consequently increase the attractiveness of Cambodia for air travelers. I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep gratitude and appreciation to France for its continued support and the various technical cooperation programs we have benefited from since 1999.”
French expertise mobilized
The implementation of this project will be ensured by the French Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which has recognized expertise in this sector. "We are delighted with the signing of this FEXTE, which is in line with the long-term partnership between Cambodian and French civil aviation entities, mobilizing the expertise of the DGAC and the French National Civil Aviation School,” said Ophélie Bourhis, AFD's Director in Cambodia. “This support is in line with AFD's strategy in the transport sector but also in the tourism sector in Cambodia. It is also fully in line with our mandate to integrate sustainable development issues into our different sectors of intervention."
Damien Cazé, Director General of Civil Aviation in France said: "The first technical cooperation agreement between the French and Cambodian civil aviation authorities was signed over 20 years ago. Today we are opening a new chapter in our cooperation, thanks to the support of AFD and the French Treasury, which will enable us to share the experience of our two administrations on current airport safety and environmental management issues.”