Cambodia’s aviation sector recorded strong growth, with a combined 5.66 million passengers between the January-October period, representing a 14 percent year-on-year increase, according to a report from the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) released yesterday.
The three international airports currently in operation are the Techo International Airport, the Siem Reap Angkor International Airport, and the Sihanouk International Airport.
Data shows that three airports served 52,954 flight movements during the mentioned period, a year-on-year increase of 12 percent.
Air cargo volume also witnessed a significant rise, increasing by 14 percent to 74,912 tonnes during the same period, stated the report.
The report added that 34 airlines (4 national and 30 international) are operating to and from the three international airports regularly.
SSCA’s Secretary of State and Spokesman Sinn Chanserey Vutha attributed the robust expansion of the country’s air transport industry to several key factors, including the government’s strategic policies and modern new infrastructure.
Talking with Khmer Times, Vutha said, “The significant growth in air passengers is a clear indicator that Cambodia’s aviation sector is on a positive growth path of recovery and significant expansion.”
This growth is a direct result of the Cambodian government’s “open skies policy,” which aims to increase air connectivity, attract new international airlines, and create an attractive environment for both tourists and business investors, he added.
This direct flight route highlighted the success of SSCA in collaboration with relevant ministries and institutions in its mission to expand the Kingdom’s air connectivity, he said.
The SSCA’s target for 2025 is to handle 7.5 million air passengers, a 20 percent increase from the 6.24 million passengers in 2024.
“Cambodia is on track to handle around 7.5 million air passengers by the end of this year,” SSCA’s spokesman said.
New flights have been announced this year connecting international destinations to Cambodia, including Turkish Airlines from Istanbul to Phnom Penh, IndiGo from Kolkata to Siem Reap.
He said that SSCA has continued to promote the growth of air transport and meet the needs of tourism, business, trade, and socio-cultural relations between Cambodia and the world, and between the world and Cambodia.
Chhay Sivlin, President of the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents, emphasized the direct impacts of the remarkable growth of the aviation sector to tourism business and economy.
“The air connectivity could enhance passengers and tourists’ convenience travel, connecting more major destinations to Cambodia,” Sivlin said.
