Royal Group in Deal to Create 2nd National Airline

The Cambodian conglomerate Royal Group on Tuesday signed a deal with a major company from the Philippines to set up Cambodia’s second flag-carrying airline in a matter of months.

Deputy Prime Minister Sok An oversaw a signing ceremony in Phnom Penh last night to create Cambodia Airlines, a joint venture between Royal Group and the San Miguel Corporation, which owns a controlling stake in Philippine Airlines (PAL).

The deal is expected to open up Phnom Penh’s only direct flights to Manila, as well as more flights between Cambodia’s existing do­mes­tic airports.