Siem Reap Airlines suspends all flights

Tue 25-Nov-2008
Source: TTR weekly

Siem Reap Airways has suspended all flights on it’s International and Domestic routes. The suspension come hot on the heels of the EU ban on their flights within European Union members states air space.

Parent company, Bangkok Airways, are operating flights on the main trunk route in Cambodia between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. They are also operating between Bangkok and Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.

As we approach the peak season this will undoubtedly cause disruption for passengers and customers who have booked flights with Siem Reap Airways are advised to contact their agent immediately for advice. The airline had a schedule of flights in Cambodia, Thailand and to Laos. At this time it is not known if tickets can be transferred to other airlines or if refunds will be available.

Siem Reap Airways temporarily closed

25 November 2008
By Kang Kallyan
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Luc Sâr
Click here to read the article in French

The Cambodian civil aviation just announced the temporary suspension of all Siem Reap Airways activities so that it can “comply with the EU standards.”

This news was issued by Chea On, the technical general director of the civil aviation. When asked by Cambodge Soir Hebdo, Chea On indicated that Siem Reap Airways (SRA), which is currently being banned from flying in Europe, “was temporarily closed in order to give it time to resolve its problems, and to comply with international security standards. Chea On said that he “does not know” when SRA’s Airbus planes will fly again. “Maybe never, if this company cannot get out of its difficulties,” Chea On said. While waiting for an eventual return to service, Bangkok Airways – which owns SRA – planes will insure the connections which, up to now, were handled by SRA.

The Cambodian authorities and SRA did not take time to react to the serious charges brought up by the EU commission and the international civil aviation organization. Since 14 November, SRA was backlisted from flying to Europe because of security problems. As for the Cambodian civil aviation, it expressed “serious doubts” that it is capable of upholding international security standards.

Siam Reap Airways Won’t be Affected by European Commission Air Ban

Friday, 21 November 2008
Travel Blackboard

Siem Reap Airways has responded to being added to the European Commission’s list of blacklisted airlines, by saying the order did not apply to its aircraft, national media reported Tuesday.

The EC last week banned Siem Reap Airways, which only flies regional routes, from landing at European Airports, citing its failure to comply with international and Cambodian civil aviation standards, the Phnom Penh Post said.

Lao Santi, General Manager of Siem Reap Airways, said the ban applied only to Siem Reap Airways aircraft registered in Cambodia, according to the Post.

"As a matter of fact, none of the aircraft operating (Siem Reap Airways) services have been registered in the Kingdom, as they are entirely operated on a wet-lease basis." he said in a statement.

A wet-lease is an arrangement between two airlines whereby the lesser provides the aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance (ACMI) to the lessee.

The statement said that the EC exempted airlines listed in "Annex A" of the ban that operate on a wet-lease basis.

"Air carriers listed in the Annex A could be permitted to exercise traffic rights by using wet-leased aircraft of an air carrier which is not subject to an operating ban, provided that the relevant safety standards are complied with," the EC document states.

Siem Reap Airways is a subsidiary of Thailand-based Bangkok Airways and currently offers no air service to European countries.

Siem Reap Airways ban being contested

Thursday, 20 November 2008
Aviation Record (Australia)

PHNOM PENH: An Asia-wide specialist travel company has recommended that travel agents offer their clients the alternative of a six-hour road transfer rather than book flights between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.

This follows the European Commission’s ban on Siem Reap Airways International from using EU airports because of inadequate compliance with international aviation safety standards.

"The ban is subject only to aircraft registered in Cambodia," says the carrier's general manager, Lao Santi. "As a matter of fact, none of the aircraft we use has been registered in the kingdom as they are entirely on a wet-leased basis, at and to international standards.”

The airline, a subsidiary of Bangkok Airways International, is in the process of clarifying the issue with the commission. It provides only domestic services between Penh and Siem Reap in Cambodia.

Travel company Exotissimo, concerned about the issue, is monitoring the situation as no other airlines service the route.

EU bans Siem Reap Airways, all Angolan carriers [-Siem Reap Airways is in fact Bangkok Airways?]

BRUSSELS, Nov 14 (Reuters) - The European Commission banned Cambodia's Siem Reap Airways International from operating in the European Union and extended a ban on TAAG Angola Airlines to all carriers certified in Angola, citing safety concerns.

The Commission, executive arm of the 27-country EU, on Friday also maintained a ban on all operations of Ukraine Mediterranean Airlines and Ukraine Cargo Airways, saying they had failed to deal with previous safety concerns.

"The European Commission will pursue actively its dialogue with all states ... to ensure that they conform to internationally required levels of air safety on a sustainable basis," EU Transport Commissioner Antonio Tajani said.

(Reporting by Bate Felix, editing by Dale Hudson)