Phnom Penh: Following the official launch of Techo International Airport (KTI) on September 9th, Cambodia has steadily expanded its air connectivity with major cities worldwide. Over the past three months, the nation has established new direct and connecting flights with several international destinations, significantly enhancing its global reach.
Among the notable additions is a new direct flight service between Kolkata, India, and Siem Reap province. Operated by IndiGo Airlines, this route commenced with its inaugural flight on November 13th. According to the Ministry of Tourism, IndiGo Airlines (6E) now offers direct flights between Kolkata (CCU) and Siem Reap (SAI) every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday, utilizing an Airbus A320neo aircraft. Concurrently, Cambodia’s national carrier, Air Cambodia (K6), also provides two flights per week between Phnom Penh (KTI) and New Delhi (DEL), India, operating on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Another significant development is the direct flight service connecting Phnom Penh with Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Etihad Airways inaugurated this route on the morning of October 4th, with its first flight carrying 154 passengers to Techo International Airport. The introduction of this world-class airline underscores Cambodia’s rapid advancements in its aviation sector in recent years. Etihad Airways offers four direct flights weekly between Abu Dhabi and Phnom Penh, scheduled for Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, using an EY0435 aircraft. Etihad Airways, established in 2003 and headquartered in Abu Dhabi, is a major international carrier that has been instrumental in transforming Abu Dhabi into a global aviation hub. The airline boasts a modern fleet, including Airbus A350, Airbus A380, and Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, and offers premium services such as The Residence, First Class Apartment, and Business Studio across its extensive network spanning Asia, Europe, America, Africa, and Australia.
Cambodia has also enhanced its connectivity with Tokyo, Japan, through a new flight route from Phnom Penh that includes a layover in Fuzhou, China (PNH-FOC-NRT). This service, launched on October 26th, is operated by Air Cambodia three times a week, specifically on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Mr. Sin Chansereyvutha, spokesman for civil aviation, highlighted that this new route significantly streamlines travel between Cambodia and Japan by reducing transit times in Fuzhou, making journeys quicker, more convenient, and efficient. The flights depart Phnom Penh at 09:40 AM (K6592) and arrive in Tokyo at 07:00 PM, with return flights (K6593) departing Tokyo at 08:00 PM and arriving in Phnom Penh at 02:55 AM.
Furthermore, connectivity with Dubai, UAE, has been established for over a year, with daily flights between Dubai and Phnom Penh via Singapore, operated by Emirates Airlines (EK). Emirates Airlines has also expanded its services to Siem Reap province, introducing flights from Dubai via Thailand. The inaugural Dubai-Siem Reap flight by Emirates Airlines was officially launched on June 3, 2025. The Cambodian Civil Aviation Secretariat reports that this “Dubai-Bangkok-Siem Reap Angkor-Bangkok-Dubai” service operates three times a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Emirates’ service to Siem Reap is strategically timed to offer seamless connections for travelers heading to popular European destinations such as France, the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, Portugal, and Russia.
Beyond these newly highlighted routes, Cambodia maintains direct and connecting flights with numerous other countries both within and outside the region. These include Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, South Korea, Taiwan, and various cities in China (such as Beijing, Shanghai, Macau, Guangzhou, and Yunnan).
Currently, Cambodia’s aviation sector is actively working to broaden its international flight network. This includes advocating for the government to ratify three key agreements and protocols aimed at expanding Cambodia’s global air connectivity in line with its open skies policy. These initiatives comprise: 1. A comprehensive Air Transport Agreement between the governments of ASEAN Member States and the European Union and its Member States; 2. A draft law approving the Third Protocol on the expansion of Fifth Freedom rights among contracting parties under the Air Transport Agreement between ASEAN Member States and the People’s Republic of China; and 3. A draft law approving the implementation protocols for the 11th and 12th packages of air transport services under the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services. According to Mr. Sin Chansereyvutha, these three agreements and protocols are of paramount importance to Cambodia’s aviation sector.
Reports from the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation indicate significant growth in the sector. From January to October 2025, Cambodia’s three international airports – Techo International Airport, Siem Reap Angkor International Airport, and Sihanoukville International Airport – collectively managed a total of 52,954 incoming and outgoing flights. This represents a 12% increase compared to the same period in 2024. During this period, the three airports served 5,665,129 incoming and outgoing passengers, marking a 14% rise. Air cargo also saw a 14% increase, with 74,912 tons of incoming and outgoing freight handled compared to the same period in 2024. Currently, 34 airlines operate in Cambodia’s aviation sector, comprising 4 domestic and 30 international carriers.
