Flights to Start Between U Tapao and Siem Reap

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

I saw this announcement, but not too much info on the Web site about the actual Air Hanuman flights that begin in October.

 

Evil

 

 

Pattaya Airport announces regular Cambodia flights

 

By Staff Reporter | September 30, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pattaya: Airport announces new flights to Cambodia from Utapao

Cambodian airline, Air Hanuman, has negotiated a regular route between Siam Reap Cambodia and Pattaya’s own Utapao Airport. The service, which will initially be a weekly series of three return flights, will mean that tourists can leave Pattaya and be in Cambodia in just about an hour.

 

This new route is great news for travelers who want to visit Pattaya from Siem Reap and explore the mysterious Siem Reap-Angkor Wat Temples, from Pattaya.

To date, the only options have been either the long drive to Bangkok’s airport or the day long drudge over Thailand to the border and the less comfortable roads of Cambodia.

Utapao was built by the US Military during the Vietnam conflict and was used as the main hub for Thailand a few years back when Bangkok Airport was closed. At the time, Pilots and airlines were not only impressed with the runways but also the facilities and ease for passenger to get through the usual queues quickly to board and leave the planes.

Flights start this month and are planned for 2PM departures from Siam Reap and 4.PM departures from Pattaya, using B737-300 aircraft in a joint venture with Tonle Sap regional airlines.

In a meeting today, Sunday, the Company executives explained that this just the tip of the iceberg as far as new routes are concerned for the company. Many more are planned, affording passengers easier access to numerous destinations via their hub.

As a bonus to travellers who are new to Cambodia, everything is accessible through the company website, from ticket and Hotel accommodation through to tours and travel, all using experienced staff and hotels which are recommended by the airline.

In addition to Pattaya residents travelling to Cambodia, the airline is working on a joint promotion of Pattaya City to Cambodian residents and plans to share the many great reasons why visitors should come to Pattaya city from Siem Reap.

http://airhanuman.com/book.php

 

 

Read more: http://www.pattaya10.../#ixzz27xuFOPqz

[bigdelta 46]

Nice to see US $$$$ put too good use again.I flew into Utapao in 1972 on an R&R from Okinawa to visit,you guessed it.,Pattaya.

A favorite quote from wiki,"The closeness of the U-Tapao USAF base to Pattaya during the Vietnam War era is frequently cited as one of the main reasons for the development of prostitution in that town".

Always one of my favorites.

[nkped 1,208]

If the Siem Reap service actually comes to pass, it will be interesting to see any reports on how long it takes to clear immigration in-bound. There is signage in that rather small terminal for international arrivals which I gather has been charters in the past. Given the size of the building, it would be hard to think they could have more than 3 or 4 lanes.

[nkped 1,208]

Nice to see US $$$$ put too good use again.I flew into Utapao in 1972 on an R&R from Okinawa to visit,you guessed it.,Pattaya.

A favorite quote from wiki,"The closeness of the U-Tapao USAF base to Pattaya during the Vietnam War era is frequently cited as one of the main reasons for the development of prostitution in that town".

Always one of my favorites.

When I've flown in or out of Utapao on Bangkok Air, there has usually (always?) been one or two U.S. military aircraft on the ramp. The BIG ramp and the Buff size hangar on the east side of the runway appeared to be remarkably good repair.

 

BTW Guys who were stationed at Kadena in the early 70s had fond memories of Okinawa. By the time I visited in 1981, not so much.

[CheshireTom 1,377]

There is signage in that rather small terminal for international arrivals which I gather has been charters in the past.

 

That's my understanding - international charter flights, but no scheduled stuff. It'll be interesting to see what comes to pass - maybe something like Chinese tourists doing a two-centre holiday (Siem Reap and Pattaya).

[teelack 9,640]

In a way this only adds to the strength of Pattaya as a holiday destination. I wish that when I was travelling to SR that there had been a lower cost option like this.

[short 215]

Now if they would just add a noon Clarke flight.