Hainan's first! Phnom Penh ⇌ Sanya ⇌ Singapore's fifth freedom international passenger route successfully launched
On the morning of December 1, 2023, at 09:36, flight KR9755, operated by Cambodia Airways Limited, took off from Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and slowly landed at Sanya Phoenix International Airport. The flight then continued from Sanya to Singapore. The successful operation of the Phnom Penh = Sanya = Singapore route marks the first time in history that Hainan Province has launched a fifth freedom passenger service route.
The fifth freedom refers to the right of an airline from one country to operate an international route and, at the same time, obtain the right to stop over in a third country and carry passengers and cargo. Ordinary international routes generally operate between two countries, but once the fifth freedom is opened, it means that airlines can carry passengers and cargo in a third country, achieving free transportation among three countries. Therefore, the fifth freedom is hailed by the aviation industry as the "richest and most economically significant" air right and is also an important indicator of a region's openness to the outside world and business environment.
To accelerate the construction of Hainan Free Trade Port and implement the more open air transport policy implemented by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council in Hainan, under the deployment of the Hainan provincial and Sanya municipal governments, the Sanya Tourism Development Bureau seized the opportunity to expand the international aviation travel market. In October this year, it went to Turkey to participate in the World Routes Development Conference, actively promoted the construction of the fifth freedom, improved the international route layout, and provided more convenient transportation conditions for the construction of the international tourism consumption center with practical actions.
Ye Jialin, Director of the Sanya Tourism Development Bureau, stated that the opening of the fifth freedom will enable Sanya to establish closer connections with the international market in terms of tourism consumption, commercial trade, cultural exchanges, and other aspects. Sanya will continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with ASEAN countries and countries along the Belt and Road Initiative, fully play the active role of a member of the Silk Road Tourism Cities Alliance, make good use of the visa-free entry policy for 59 countries, continuously improve the capacity for international tourism reception, and precisely upgrade and optimize tourism products according to the needs of tourists from different countries and regions. By hosting internationally renowned large-scale sports events, carrying out tourism marketing activities abroad, participating in various international tourism organizations and exchange exhibitions, etc., Sanya will further expand the international market, enhance its global reputation, and let the world recognize the new Sanya against the backdrop of the Hainan Free Trade Port era.
It is understood that the Phnom Penh = Sanya = Singapore route has been operated by Cambodia Airways Limited since December 1, 2023. The tourism source markets of the three places are organized by Hainan Expressway Sanya Sunshine Holiday Travel Agency and Hainan Wenhua Air Travel Co., Ltd. The aircraft type for the Phnom Penh = Sanya = Singapore route is Airbus A320, with flight numbers: KR9755/KR9756.