(Phnom Penh): At 10:55 a.m. Malaysia time on 26 June 2025, Cambodia Airways flight KR785 from Phnom Penh to Penang made a smooth landing at Penang International Airport. The inaugural flight was honored by the presence of Shaharuddin Onn, Ambassador of Malaysia to the Kingdom of Cambodia. Tang Xiaojun, Vice President of Cambodia Airways, Bai Guowei, Director of the Marketing Committee of Cambodia Airways and other representatives from Cambodia Airways were also on the same flight.
Upon arrival in Penang, the aircraft was honored with a ceremonial water salute to commemorate the inaugural landing. Ambassador Shaharuddin Onn, along with all passengers and flight crew, was warmly welcomed by representatives from relevant Malaysian government departments, Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board (Tourism Malaysia), Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau(PCEB), Penang International Airport, and various sectors. All passengers were presented with traditional garlands and gifted welcome souvenir bags as a gesture of hospitality. Among the passengers on this flight were a delegation of influential Cambodian influencers and a renowned golf team.
At 11:30 a.m., esteemed guests gathered in the airport’s VIP room for the Official Launch Press Conference of the Phnom Penh - Penang direct route. The event was graced by the honorable presence of Ambassador Shaharuddin Onn, YB Lee Boon Heng, Director of Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau and State Assembly Person for Kebun Bunga, YB Chee Yeeh Keen, State Assembly Person for Bagan Jermal, YBHG Dato' Yeoh Soon Hin, Deputy Chairman of Tourism Malaysia, YBHG Datin’ Bharathi Suppiah, Director of Penang Convention&Exhibition Bureau and General Manager of Chief Minister Incorporated, Lee Thai Hung, Deputy Director General (Promotion II) of Tourism Malaysia, and Mohd Ridzuan Ahmad Walid, Operations Manager of Penang International Airport. Representatives from Cambodia Airways, including Tang Xiaojun and Bai Guowei, were also in attendance for this significant occasion.
YBHG Dato' Yeoh Soon Hin, representing YB Dato’Sri Tiong King Sing, the Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture of Malaysia, delivered a speech during the press conference. "Today marks an important milestone in strengthening the bond between Malaysia and Cambodia. I am delighted to welcome this inaugural flight - a much-anticipated route that will revitalize and deepen our cultural and economic ties, opening the door to new tourism and business opportunities,” he said. “The new route provides more travelers with the opportunity to experience Malaysia’s rich cultural heritage, breathtaking landscapes, and world-class hospitality. The timing of this expansion could not be more perfect,” he added. He also expressed gratitude to Cambodia Airways for its efforts in strengthening regional connectivity, fostering bilateral relations, promoting cultural understanding, as well as advancing tourism and trade development. “Particularly as Malaysia continues its preparations for Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VM2026),” he specifically noted.
During his speech at the press conference, YB Lee Boon Heng shared his excitement to finally be directly connected to Phnom Penh, a city that shares similar strengths in culture, history, and vibrant urban charm. “This new route reflects the strengthening ties between Malaysia and Cambodia by fostering greater people-to-people connections and long-term partnerships across trade, tourism, education, and investment,” he stated. He also expressed his appreciation to Cambodia Airways for choosing to include Penang in its network, and looking forward to building a fruitful partnership with each other. “Let this flight not only bring travelers across the skies but bring our communities closer together,” he said.
Representing Cambodia Airways, Li Lei, Deputy Director of the Marketing Committee, delivered a speech expressing his sincere appreciation to Tourism Malaysia, the Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau, Penang International Airport, and other partners for their active collaboration and generous support in facilitating the successful launch of the new flight route. He emphasized that it was the joint efforts of all parties that made the opening of the new route possible. “The launch of the Phnom Penh - Penang direct flight marks a new chapter in our journey. This non-stop service offers travelers greater convenience of direct service instead of a layover at other transit points. It also increased Cambodia Airways’ total weekly flights between Phnom Penh and Malaysia to five, covering both Penang and Kuala Lumpur,” he commented.
Afterwards, the distinguished guests jointly held a cake-cutting ceremony and took a group photo to commemorate the successful inaugural flight of the new route.
The return flight, KR786, left Penang at 11:55 a.m. and arrived in Phnom Penh at 12:40 p.m., Cambodia Time, concluding a smooth and successful inaugural journey.
Cambodia Airways’ Phnom Penh - Penang service is scheduled to operate twice weekly, every Thursday and Sunday. This newly launched route not only enhances air connectivity between Cambodia and Malaysia but also creates new opportunities for tourism, business, and cultural exchange.
Cambodia Airways remains dedicated to providing safe, comfortable, and convenient air travel experiences while continuously expanding its network to meet the growing demand for connectivity across Southeast Asia and beyond.
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