Based on the remarkable achievement in Cambodia’s aviation sector last year, the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) anticipated more growth in air passenger movement this year as well.
Addressing the closing ceremony of the SSCA’s annual meeting on Wednesday, Mao Havannall, Minister in charge of the SSCA, said that the SSCA has placed strategic measures, plans, and policies on the country’s aviation sector to further grow in years to come.
“Boost and achieve the air service of 7.5 million passengers and 80,000 tonnes of cargo by 2025,” Havannall said.
SSCA has continued to boost the growth of air transportation and meet the needs of tourism, business, trade, and socio-cultural connections between Cambodia and the world and between the world and Cambodia, he said.
Growth in foreign tourist arrivals, influx of foreign investors, enhanced facilities -airports, and air connection to major destinations are factors of the projection, SSCA’s Secretary of State and spokesman Sinn Chanserey Vutha said.
Speaking to Khmer Times, Vutha said, “The projection of 7.5 million air passengers this year is made from the good results of the increasing number of foreign tourists, increasing foreign investors, particularly enhancing airport facilities which enable to facilitate passenger travels and air connection to major destinations.”
Last year, the three international airports – Phnom Penh International Airport, Siem Reap Angkor International Airport, and Sihanoukville International Airport – handled a combined 6.24 air passengers, a year-on-year increase of 22 percent, SSCA report showed.
The three 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.
Cambodia’s tourism sector has returned to its pre-Covid-19 status, welcoming 6.7 million international tourists in 2024, an increase of 23 percent compared to 2023 and a 1.4 percent increase compared to 2019.
President of the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents Chhay Sivlin lauded the move, highlighting the cooperation between the government and private sector in creating tourism products and services, enhancing airport infrastructure, and air connectivity.
“Enhancing airport facilities and increasing air flight connections have contributed to facilitating tourists’ movements and convenience to visit the country,” she said.
New flights have been announced this year connecting international destinations to Cambodia, including Turkish Airlines from Istanbul to Phnom Penh, Etihad Airways from Abu Dhabi to Phnom Penh, and Emirates Airlines from Dubai to Siem Reap.
