Cambodia has closed the airspace over areas currently experiencing armed conflict with Thailand. Airlines have been instructed to reroute their flights to ensure the safety of their aircraft. At the same time, a minimum flight altitude has been set for routes that may be at risk due to the possibility of escalating military aggression by Thai forces.
Sin Chansereyvutha, spokesperson for the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA), told The Post on the morning of July 26 that the decision to close the airspace above the conflict zone was based on Thailand’s use of heavy weaponry at high altitudes, which could pose a danger to commercial aircraft.
The measure draws on lessons from past international incidents.
Chansereyvutha noted that Cambodian air traffic authorities have also prohibited flights below 1,200 metres in the area between the old Siem Reap International Airport and Pailin province.
“Due to significant changes in military operations in the conflict area overnight on July 25, we have adjusted flight paths that could pose risks. We are not allowing any flights over those areas. All flights that would normally pass through those zones are being instructed to divert,” he said.
“Airline operations that typically pass over Cambodia are not being cancelled or reduced — just rerouted,” he clarified.
According to the spokesperson, the rerouted international flight paths include those from the Central-Eastern regions to the Philippines, Thailand to the Philippines, Thailand to Japan, China to Laos, China to Vietnam, China to Malaysia and China to Indonesia, among others.
He also warned that additional restrictions may be implemented if the Thai military continues to expand its offensive operations, once again reiterating that the measures are intended to ensure that air travel remains 100 per cent safe.
