The Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB), representing the Malaysian state of Penang, paid a courtesy visit and held a strategic meeting with Cambodia Airways on 17 June 2025 at the airline’s headquarters in Phnom Penh. The visit took place in anticipation of the upcoming launch of Cambodia Airways’ inaugural direct flight service between Phnom Penh and Penang.
The delegation from PCEB was led by its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ashwin Gunasekeran, accompanied by Ms. Siti Sarah Ismail, Head of Sales & Marketing, and Mr. Terry Neoh, Marketing & Communications Manager. They were welcomed by senior officials from Cambodia Airways, including Mr. Guowei Bai, Executive Deputy General Manager; Mr. Daniel Li, Deputy Director of the Marketing Committee; and Ms. Sok Ravy, Assistant to the CEO SOB.
The meeting served as a key platform for both parties to explore collaborative strategies aimed at ensuring a successful launch and sustained promotion of the new route. Discussions centred around marketing partnerships, co-branded awareness campaigns, and opportunities to deepen tourism and business ties between Penang and Cambodia.
Set to begin operations on 26 June 2025, the Phnom Penh–Penang service will operate twice weekly, on Thursdays and Sundays. This new direct air link is expected to significantly enhance regional connectivity, offering convenient access for business and leisure travellers alike, particularly those engaged in the business events (MICE), trade, tourism, and creative sectors.
“The direct flight between Phnom Penh and Penang marks a milestone in our mission to boost connectivity within Southeast Asia,” said Mr. Ashwin Gunasekeran. “It opens new avenues for bilateral collaboration, cultural exchange, and economic engagement reinforcing Penang’s role as a gateway to northern Malaysia and beyond.”
Both Penang and Cambodia are rich in cultural heritage and home to UNESCO World Heritage Sites George Town in Penang and the historic cityscapes of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. The new route is expected to encourage greater heritage-based tourism and foster deeper cultural appreciation across borders.
Furthermore, with Penang’s strategic location and growing reputation as a hub for business innovation and events, the new flight route offers valuable transit options for corporate travellers within the ASEAN region, tapping into Penang’s expanding regional and global network.
PCEB is committed to supporting the route through sustained promotional efforts in collaboration with Cambodia Airways and other key partners. These initiatives are designed to drive awareness, stimulate demand, and ensure the long-term success of this important new connection.
This collaboration aligns with the Penang State Government’s broader efforts to boost international connectivity, enhance tourism offerings, and attract investment through strategic partnerships and infrastructure development.
For more information, please contact:
Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB)
📞 +604 261 6161
📧 info@pceb.my
🌐 www.pceb.my