Cambodia Air Travel Soars Past 3 Million Passengers in 2025 Surge

KT

Phnom Penh — Cambodia’s aviation sector is climbing fast, recording over 3 million air passengers between January and May 2025 — an 18% increase compared to the same period last year, officials revealed on Tuesday.

According to Sinn Chanserey Vutha, Secretary of State at the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA), both international and domestic airlines operated 27,670 flights to Cambodia’s three main airports during the five-month period, up 14% year-on-year. Air cargo volumes also grew modestly, rising 5% to over 29,000 tonnes.

This resurgence reflects Cambodia’s post-pandemic recovery and growing appeal as a tourism and logistics hub. Vutha expressed confidence that the aviation sector is on track to meet its 2025 target of 7.5 million air passengers — a 20% jump from 2024.

Much of the momentum is being driven by the country’s upgraded infrastructure. The new Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI), which began official operations in November 2023, is already drawing international attention. Its state-of-the-art facilities and ability to accommodate long-haul aircraft have positioned it as a major gateway to the Angkor Wat temple complex.

Foreign interest is growing. Airlines from South Korea — including East Jet Airways, T’way Air, and Jeju Airlines — have applied to operate flights to SAI, along with India’s IndiGo, Malaysia’s Firefly, and the newly launched Air Cambodia. The latter will inaugurate its first route on 18 July, linking Siem Reap to Shenzhen, China.

“This is a good sign for Cambodia’s aviation sector,” said Vutha. “The growing demand for direct access to Siem Reap reflects its enduring appeal as a cultural and tourism hotspot.”

Further expansion is expected with the opening of the Techo International Airport near Phnom Penh in September 2025. Once operational, Cambodia will boast two modern international airports capable of supporting wide-body aircraft and millions of travellers annually.

The government’s long-term vision foresees SAI increasing its capacity from 7 million to 12 million passengers by 2040 — a clear sign that Cambodia aims to become a regional aviation and tourism powerhouse.

-2025-06-25