Etihad Airways will begin direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Phnom Penh on 3 October, marking a significant boost to Cambodia’s international connectivity. The announcement follows a meeting between Cambodian Tourism Minister Huot Hak and Etihad’s Asia & Australia regional director Charles Tan in Phnom Penh last Friday.

 

The new route will operate to the recently inaugurated Techo International Airport, Cambodia’s latest aviation hub. Minister Hak welcomed the development, stating it would attract more tourists and investors to the country. “This new route will certainly help increase the number of international passengers and tourists to Cambodia,” he said.

 

The move comes amid steady growth in Cambodia’s aviation sector. Between January and July 2025, 31 domestic and international airlines operated nearly 37,500 flights, carrying over 4 million international passengers across the kingdom’s three major airports.

 

Etihad’s expansion into Cambodia is part of a broader strategy to strengthen its Southeast Asian network. The direct service is expected to appeal to both leisure and business travellers, offering a streamlined link between the Gulf and one of Asia’s emerging destinations.

 

With tourism playing a vital role in Cambodia’s post-pandemic recovery, the new connection is seen as a timely boost to the sector. The launch also reflects growing interest from Middle Eastern carriers in tapping into Southeast Asia’s dynamic travel market.

 

As the countdown begins, industry observers will be watching closely to see how the new route performs—and whether it signals further investment in Cambodia’s aviation future.

 

-2025-09-15

Great news. We will no longer have to travel via Bangkok's BKK airport. Can now completely avoid Thailand. Cambodia to the UK (and other European cities) via Phnom Penh and Abu Dhabi. This new service will be in addition to other services to the UK et. al. with Vietnam Airlines via HCM and Hanoi, also Singapore Airlines via Singapore. There are others.