From ABC Radio
Cambodia's national carrier replaced
Asia's newest airline is about to take delivery of its first plane.
Mekong Airlines is jointly owned by Cambodian, Australian and US interests and plans to soon expand beyond local flights to international flights as far afield as Melbourne.
Karon Snowdon reports it replaces Cambodia's national carrier which collapsed a year ago:
"Mekong Airlines initially plans 23 flights a week to the popular tourist destination of Ankor Wat and expects to quickly add planes and flights to Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hong Kong and eventually Sydney and Melbourne. Its 51 per cent owned by private Cambodian interests, 29 per cent US and 20 per cent Australian all of whom remain anonymous. Chief Executive Denziel Sprague says while most pilots and maintenance personel are Australians, Cambodians will take their places over time: 'There's a real excitement in Cambodia that at last they have another airline and I think its a matter of pride for Cambodia to have an ailrine representing themselves here.'"
24/01/2003 03:21:49 | ABC Radio