During a National Assembly commission meeting Monday, top civil aviation officials disputed reports of worsening flight conditions, saying Cambodia’s aviation oversight agency is capable of ensuring air safety.
Pok Sam Ell, secretary of state for the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation, told the Commission on Public Works, Post and Telecommunication, Industry and Commerce that airline customers have never been in danger because of safety issues. “We have enough capability to maintain flight safety,” Pok Sam Ell said.
He acknowledged, however, that the airline industry and his agency lack modern equipment, technological skills and adequate funding. About 500 flights land in Cambodia weekly, he said.
Keo Sophal, Pok Sam Ell’s deputy, criticized media reports of an audit conducted by the International Civil Aviation Organization, which said the civil aviation agency did not have the capacity to ensure the safety of domestic flights. He said the audit was two years old and that the information is now outdated.
“I admit there were some problems, but we have made many improvements,” Keo Sophal said.
Aviation officials were invited to speak before the National Assembly committee by opposition lawmaker Son Chhay, chairman of the commission.
Pok Sam Ell said there were poor conditions at Cambodia’s five domestic airports and the status of Russian-made aircraft owned by private airline companies.
Airports in Mondolkiri, Ratanakkiri, Stung Treng, Koh Kong and Battambang provinces badly need renovations. The Mondolkiri airport has been closed for three months because of bad conditions.
Pok Sam Ell has asked the government for $40,000 to repair the airports, but said the request has not been filled.
Son Chhay questioned the transparency of a $15-million lease on the three air traffic control towers by Samart, which is planning to build radars.
Cambodia uses radars located in Thailand and Vietnam to monitor air traffic, and loses revenue because fees paid by companies flying over Cambodia go to its neighboring countries.
Pok Sam Ell estimated that 12,000 planes have crossed over Cambodia without paying fees.
