Phnom Penh, Cambodia – A significant disruption to Cambodia’s air connectivity has occurred, with 52 weekly round-trip flights between the Middle East and Cambodia being canceled. This move by major airlines, including Qatar Airways, Emirates Airlines, and Etihad Airways, is a direct consequence of escalating conflict in various countries across the Middle Eastern region in recent days.
Mr. Sin Chansereyvutha, spokesperson for Cambodia Civil Aviation, confirmed that these cancellations were necessitated by the ongoing conflict, which has compelled the affected airlines to suspend their flight operations. The suspended routes include those operated by Qatar Airways through Doha International Airport, Emirates Airlines via Dubai International Airport, and Etihad Airways from Abu Dhabi International Airport, all connecting to Cambodia.
Specifically, the cancellations impact 46 weekly round-trip flights at Techo International Airport, including 8 weekly round-trip cargo flights. Additionally, 6 weekly flights at Siem Reap Angkor International Airport have also been affected. Mr. Chansereyvutha highlighted that while Cambodia is geographically distant from the conflict zone, the Middle East serves as a crucial international transit bridge, connecting Europe, Africa, and North America to Cambodia and other Southeast Asian nations.
These Middle Eastern aviation hubs function as essential transfer points for passengers traveling to and from Cambodia. The suspension of operations by these three carriers is estimated to impact approximately 12,960 passengers per week, totaling around 51,840 passengers per month. These travelers will now face temporary postponements or re-routing of their journeys due to the conflict.
Despite the immediate challenges, Mr. Sin Chansereyvutha expressed confidence that Cambodia’s air connections with Qatar, Etihad, and Emirates will eventually normalize. He reassured the public that Cambodia’s aviation system maintains stability and safety for flights.
However, Mr. Thoun Sinan, President of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Cambodia Chapter, voiced concerns about the substantial impact these flight cancellations could have on Cambodia’s tourism market. He emphasized that these airlines are vital conduits for bringing a significant number of European tourists to Cambodia. Doha, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi international airports serve as key international hubs, linking diverse nationalities to Cambodia through these carriers.
Mr. Sinan suggested that travelers might seek alternative routes through Singapore, China, or Hong Kong, rather than through Doha, Dubai, or Abu Dhabi, especially given that travel via Turkey is also considered unsafe under current geopolitical circumstances in the Middle East. He noted that this issue is not unique to Cambodia; other regional and international destinations such as Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand, which rely on these same Middle Eastern hubs, are also experiencing similar disruptions caused by the conflict.
It is noteworthy that Etihad Airways of the UAE had recently announced the commencement of direct flights from Abu Dhabi to Techo International Airport, scheduled to begin on October 4, 2025. This service was planned for four times a week on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, utilizing flight EY0435. The current situation places the viability of these future routes into question.
Tourism is a cornerstone of Cambodia’s economy. For the full year 2025, the Ministry of Tourism had projected that Cambodia would receive approximately 5.6 million international tourists, generating an estimated 3.7 billion US dollars in revenue, contributing significantly to the nation’s economic flow. The ongoing flight disruptions pose a considerable challenge to achieving these important tourism targets.
