Representatives from Cambodia Bayon Airlines (CBA), a newcomer to the domestic aviation market, yesterday promised domestic flights to be operational by the end of this year, pending approval from the country’s aviation authority.

CBA’s vice president Taing Chun Leang yesterday told reporters that the firm is in the process of applying for an Air Operators Certificate (AOC) from the Secretary of State Secretariat of Civil Aviation of Cambodia (SSCA).

According to Leang, CBA plans to invest $100 million over the coming months to purchase two Modern Ark 60 (MA 60) aircraft – a turboprop-powered aircraft made by China’s Xi’an Aircraft Industrial Corporation – before launching regular domestic flights later this year.

“We plan to start flights December this year. This is the first company in Cambodia that has its own aircrafts, not renting them from others,” Leang said, referring to Cambodia Angkor Air (CAA), which is half owned by Vietnam Airlines and is the Kingdom’s only domestic carrier.

Leang said CBA plans on expanding its business to five aircraft by the end of 2015.

“We hope that when travellers are increasing after opertion, we will also buy and use Airbus.” he said.

Currently, only CAA and little-known Siem Reap-based operator Skywings Aisa Airlines hold an AOC, according to Keo Sivorn, director general at the SSCA.