Following a public-private partnership (PPP) between the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) and Swiss-owned Albans Management SA on Sept 1 , the Cambodian government has established Security Aviation Kampuchea Co Ltd (SAKAM), a joint venture company to provide aviation security service in all the airports of the country.
The contract was signed by Mao Havanall, Minister in Charge of State Secretariat of Civil Aviation and Raphael Albaladejo, representative of Albans, in Phnom Penh on Friday.
The partnership, which came to existance due to the 2021 PPP law, provides the authority for a 15-year build-operate-transfer (BOT) concession held by Albans Management via SAKAM.
Experts say , the move will attract new airlines and increase passenger and freight flights for Cambodia , as well as raise national revenue and add value to airport services, that could increase the air travel for touristic purpose as well.
The partnership also sees the setting up of a professional dog training centre for ASEAN, which is expected to promote national pride, create global recognition and reputation in terms of advanced aviation security services.
The State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) and Albans Management SA have signed a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) contract to provide aviation security services for international airports in Cambodia.
SSCA minister-in-charge Mao Havanall, who signed on behalf of the state with Albans Management CEO Raphael Albaladejo in Phnom Penh, said Albans Management has been working closely to comply with procedures, conditions and requirements.
These are in accordance with the guidelines to ensure quality improvement, risk management, modernisation, human resource development, and increasing and generating revenue in an innovative and inclusive manner.
“To become a prosperous country in the region, private sector investment is a priority and an important component in contributing to socio-economic development and to promote the civil aviation sector.
“This is by improving the quality of aviation security services in line with international standards and meeting the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA),” Havanall said.
The contract stipulates that Albans Management would build (design, construct and provide professional training and financing), operate (maintenance, upgrade quality, improve and modernise) and transfer after the 15-year concession period ends.
Starting September 1 , Albans Management via SAKAM would have the exclusive rights to provide aviation security services at the Phnom Penh International Airport, Siem Reap Angkor International Airport, Sihanoukville International Airport, Dara Sakor International Airport, and other airports as required at the actual demand in the future.
“By complying with ICAO and IATA standards and requirements, Cambodia has the opportunity and advantage to attract new airlines and increase passengers and freight flights.
“This also includes increased tourism activities, business growth and credibility in line with the government’s Pentagonal Strategy comprising growth, employment, equity, efficiency and sustainability,” Havanall said.
On the statistics of air travel , SSCA said that Cambodia’s three international airports handled 24,725 domestic and international flights in the first half of 2023, which is an encouraging jump of 147.7 per cent compared to the same period last year.
The passenger capacity was in an upward trend as well — The flights saw a 270 per cent increase in passengers from a year ago at 2.5 million passengers, although cargoes fell 17.9 per cent to 24,616 tonnes compared to the January to June period in 2022.
The Ministry of Tourism is optimistic in its projection that the country will be able to receive up to 5 million international tourists in 2023, an expected increase of 120 percent from 2.27 million in 2022.
