The Royal Government Friday approved the National Policy on Air Transport 2025-2035, setting an ambitious target of 25 million air passengers by 2035.
The policy was approved in a weekly cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Hun Manet.
The National Policy on Air Transport has been designed to develop an efficient, sustainable, and resilient air transport in Cambodia through strengthening and expanding domestic, regional and air connectivity, according to a press release.
The policy was compiled with research and analysis from regional and global countries and collected inputs from relevant parties, particularly the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), according to the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA).
“This National Policy is aimed at achieving air transport of 25 million air passengers and cargo at 205,000 tonnes by 2035,” read the release.
Prime Minister Hun Manet spoke highly of SSCA’s works and efforts with relevant parties in compiling the policy.
“Putting into use this national policy on Air Transport 2025-2035, I firmly hope that air transport will be developing rapidly, boosting connections between domestic and foreign destinations and ensuring sustainable development and Cambodia’s economy,” he said.
The SSCA has released information that they are targeting to increase air passenger traffic to 7.5 million people in 2025, and to transport 80,000 tonnes of goods.
Last year, the three international airports, including the Phnom Penh International Airport, Siem Reap Angkor International Airport, and Sihanoukville International Airport handled a combined 6.24 million air passengers, a year-on-year increase of 22 percent, the SSCA report showed.
The international airports currently connect international flights to 12 countries with a total of 34 destinations or capitals/cities in the region and the world, by 31 national and international airlines.
The government announced the policy amid the growing number of air passengers and the airport infrastructure being developed.
The Techo International Airport is under construction in Kandal and Takeo provinces. The airport, worth some $1.5 billion in the first phase, is scheduled to commence officially in July.
