Hi to you all,

MS Westerdam, a cruise ship with more than 2000 passengers aboard were denied in several harbours - finally Cambodia accepted the vessel.

Now, a rescue operation started as the port city of Sihanoukville doesn't offer international transport. An air-bridge with charter flights will bring the 2000+ passengers to Phnom Penh to connect them to international flights.

Any idea which airlines will provide the task?

https://www.hollandamerica.com/blog/shi ... -in-japan/

A MH 737 (9M-MLH) just landed at Sihanoukville about 30 minutes ago. As MH doesn't regularly fly there I assume it's for the Westerdam passengers. It wouldn't surprise me if passengers end up being taken to Kuala Lumpur rather than Phnom Penh, KUL after all offers a lot more connections.

Thank you! will follow the movements of 9M-MLH...

MH8763 - looks like it's getting ready to depart again.

EDIT: Destination KL by the looks.

Virtual737 wrote:

MH8763 - looks like it's getting ready to depart again.

EDIT: Destination KL by the looks.

This is where the A380 comes in.

Virtual737 wrote:

MH8763 - looks like it's getting ready to depart again.

EDIT: Destination KL by the looks.

If Malaysia government allows the passengers to fly to KL, why didn't they just allow the ship to dock there? At a Malaysian port facing the South China Sea? Or Johor Bahru?

raylee67 wrote:

Virtual737 wrote:

MH8763 - looks like it's getting ready to depart again.

EDIT: Destination KL by the looks.

If Malaysia government allows the passengers to fly to KL, why didn't they just allow the ship to dock there? At a Malaysian port facing the South China Sea? Or Johor Bahru?

I would imagine that they all had medical exams when they docked. Malaysia is probably letting them in now assuming a clean bill of health.

peterinlisbon wrote:

Virtual737 wrote:

MH8763 - looks like it's getting ready to depart again.

EDIT: Destination KL by the looks.

This is where the A380 comes in.

I highly doubt Sihanoukville can handle an A380.

deltalaw wrote:

raylee67 wrote:

Virtual737 wrote:

MH8763 - looks like it's getting ready to depart again.

EDIT: Destination KL by the looks.

If Malaysia government allows the passengers to fly to KL, why didn't they just allow the ship to dock there? At a Malaysian port facing the South China Sea? Or Johor Bahru?

I would imagine that they all had medical exams when they docked. Malaysia is probably letting them in now assuming a clean bill of health.

Surprisingly they didn't seek permission to dock in Malaysia. They asked the rest around the region, but not Malaysia even though Malaysia has medical facilties to check potential virus carrier and does not ban any cruise ship from berthing at Malaysian port.

It’s a 3 hour bus ride from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh. I’ve done it, with Cambodian karaoke all the way.
Why do they need to fly ?

debonair wrote:

Hi to you all,

MS Westerdam, a cruise ship with more than 2000 passengers aboard were denied in several harbours - finally Cambodia accepted the vessel.

Now, a rescue operation started as the port city of Sihanoukville doesn't offer international transport. An air-bridge with charter flights will bring the 2000+ passengers to Phnom Penh to connect them to international flights.

Any idea which airlines will provide the task?

https://www.hollandamerica.com/blog/shi ... -in-japan/

Just a correction, Sihanoukville Airport is in fact an international airport with multiple daily flights to China before the current coronavirus outbreak literally curtails the entire Chinese aviation market. It also has (or had) multiple flights to SE Asia like KUL, BKK and SGN for example.

Michael

Eitilt wrote:

It’s a 3 hour bus ride from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh. I’ve done it, with Cambodian karaoke all the way.
Why do they need to fly ?

After what they've already been through, making them listen to Cambodian karaoke would probably push them over the edge.

peterinlisbon wrote:

Virtual737 wrote:

MH8763 - looks like it's getting ready to depart again.

EDIT: Destination KL by the looks.

This is where the A380 comes in.

It is about as wanted as this coronavirus vessel.

As I am in Phnom Penh now I can give you some information. It looks like Lanmei started an airbridge between Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh. This morning there are 4 charters on the schedule and this afternoon there are 2. All operating under Lanmei IATA code. As I am flying to Sihanoukville today, maybe I can give you more information later on.

TC957 wrote:

I highly doubt Sihanoukville can handle an A380.

A380s need 3000m runways.
VDSV's runway is 2500m.
You know the answer.

Antaras wrote:

TC957 wrote:

I highly doubt Sihanoukville can handle an A380.

A380s need 3000m runways.
VDSV's runway is 2500m.
You know the answer.

A380s need 3,000 meter runways for . . . what? We’re not talking about terribly long flights here.

Cubsrule wrote:

Antaras wrote:

TC957 wrote:

I highly doubt Sihanoukville can handle an A380.

A380s need 3000m runways.
VDSV's runway is 2500m.
You know the answer.

A380s need 3,000 meter runways for . . . what? We’re not talking about terribly long flights here.

Indeed. I have seen A380 taking off from 2100m runway for 8hr flight and from 2500m runway for 14hr flight. Something like VDSV-WMKK is a non-issue just for runway distance wise.

I'm not saying runway/apron loading and terminal infrastructure can handle that though.

Michael