All Nippon Airways on Thursday started a direct service between Narita airport, east of Tokyo, and the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh, commencing the first regular service between Japan and Cambodia. Cambodian ambassador to Japan Chea Kimtha (third left) and other officials attend a tape-cutting ceremony at Narita airport on Thursday to mark the launch of All Nippon Airways's direct service between Tokyo and Phnom Penh. (Kyodo photo)ANA, one of Japan's two biggest airlines, expects that the direct flights will boost demand mainly from business users as an increasing number of Japanese companies are entering the Southeast Asian country as its economy rapidly grows. "Friendship between the two countries will become deeper," through the new service, Cambodian ambassador to Japan Chea Kimtha said during a commemoration ceremony at Narita airport. ANA senior executive vice president Koichi Uchizono said as Cambodia has the Angkor Wat temple complex and other popular sightseeing spots, the company also expects a growing demand from tourism.

Source: Bangkok Post September 01, 2016 10:30 UTC