Mekong flight paths shorter

PHNOM PENH  Cambodia’s State Secretariat for Civil Aviation says the country will use a new air route for flights to Laos, Thailand and Vietnam that will reduce fuel costs and cut flight times.
Phnom Penh Post quoted the SSCA spokesperson, Sin Chansereyvutha, as saying the agreement was signed in Siem Reap last week after multilateral meetings between five countries of the Mekong Region.
Myanmar, the sixth member of the Mekong Region, was not included in the talks, but China with just two provinces in the region participated.
“The new route allows airlines to fly at an altitude of 11 kilometres with two lanes for airlines to fly back and forth. The new route will also cut flight distances and reduce fuel costs,” he said.
inside no 2He said the old route had just one flight corridor and needed airlines to queue to take off or land.
“The agreement involved two provinces in China as well and could be expanded to other ASEAN members, thereby increasing connectivity to European destinations.”
He added: “It benefits the aviation industry in each country. It is also a requirement of the International Civil Aviation Organisation – for members to make use of technology to reduce costs and save the environment.”
Cambodian Association of Travel Agents president, Ang Kim Eang, said if it results in lower fares or less time travelling then it will be a benefit for consumers.
“When costs are cut, airlines need to reduce fees and encourage travel agencies to promote tour packages,” he said.
It is very unlikely that airlines will reduce fares. They will see the new provision has a way to save operational costs and possible reduce their fuel bill, but fares are often driven by market conditions rather than the distance or the time spent flying.

sourced:ttrweekly.com