France to repatriate citizens in Cambodia

PHNOM PEHN: The French Embassy in Cambodia, in a post on its website, said it is currently contacting all the people who had informed the embassy that they were looking for a repatriation solution to France, and who, according to available information, are still at Cambodia.

The embassy said in order to have a precise estimate of the number of French people passing through or still stranded in Cambodia, it had to conduct massive visa issuance results.

Depending on this number, the possibility of setting up a last special flight chartered by the State would be considered, the embassy said.

As of end- April, there were about 7,000 French all over Cambodia, mostly on a backpacking adventure and on a connecting furlough to nearby Laos and Vietnam.

“This flight is in no way confirmed. It is a question for the Embassy of France of knowing how many people would be interested and likely to take such a flight, which could take place between May 20 and 30.

“This flight would not be free, but would take place a priori under conditions similar to previous flights chartered by the embassy. The cost would be around 450 euros per passenger, to be paid to the French Treasury in the 90 days following the return to France,” the embassy post said.

“This repatriation flight is intended for French travelers (tourists stranded in Cambodia following the cancellation of their flights, etc.), as well as vulnerable people. If you are in this, please by email to the address consulat.phnom-penhamba@diplomatie.gouv.fr and send a copy of your Cambodian visa and your contact details.

A decision on a possible special flight will be taken in the coming days depending on the number of French people really interested.

The embassy had organized an earlier flight via Qatar Airways in April.