Qatar Airways, IndiGo Among Four Airlines Landing in Siem Reap

Khem Sovannara

SIEM REAP — Cambodia’s famed temple city is preparing for a fresh wave of international visitors as Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI) announces the arrival of four new airlines — Qatar Airways, IndiGo, Eastar Jet, and Firefly Airlines — beginning 26 October.

The additions mark a significant step in Cambodia’s post-pandemic tourism recovery, with officials aiming to revive long-haul travel and ease access to Siem Reap, home to Angkor Wat and other UNESCO-listed treasures.

“This is a positive sign for Cambodia’s tourism sector,” a senior SAI official told Khmer Times, noting the new routes are expected to run until at least March next year. Qatar Airways, in particular, is seen as a game-changer, offering long-haul travellers from Europe and the US more seamless access to the country via Doha.

IndiGo, India’s largest carrier, will connect Siem Reap with Kolkata, opening a new path for Indian tourists — a growing market many countries are eager to attract. Cambodia currently has only one direct route from New Delhi to Phnom Penh.

South Korea’s Eastar Jet and Malaysia’s Firefly Airlines round out the quartet. Both are low-cost carriers expected to boost arrivals from their respective markets, where tourist numbers have remained modest despite strong potential.

Chhay Sivlin, President of the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents, hailed the move as “strategically important,” pointing out the role of global carriers like Qatar Airways in promoting Cambodia’s image abroad. “Their marketing power will amplify our visibility,” she said.

With regional border tensions — particularly with Thailand — pushing more travellers towards air routes, Cambodian officials are betting on aviation to sidestep geopolitical uncertainty and sustain growth.

In the first five months of 2025, Siem Reap’s airport welcomed over 308,000 international travellers — roughly a quarter of all inbound air passengers to the country. Officials say further expansion could soon target Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

As Sivlin puts it: “This isn’t just about new flights — it’s about positioning Siem Reap as a regional gateway once more.”

-2025-07-23