US, Cambodia seal open skies deal

The United States and Cambodia have struck a landmark aviation agreement, concluding more than a decade of negotiations and opening the way for expanded flights, tourism and trade.

US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Hunt VanderToll met senior Cambodian officials in Phnom Penh on 6 June, including Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, Defence Minister Tea Seiha and Civil Aviation Minister Mao Havannall. The talks centred on regional security, infrastructure investment and economic cooperation.

A key outcome was the signing of a US‑Cambodia Open Skies Agreement, designed to liberalise air services between the two countries. Such deals remove restrictions on routes, capacity and pricing, encouraging competition and connectivity. Washington has promoted open skies policies worldwide since the 1990s, arguing they boost tourism, lower fares and strengthen economic ties. Cambodia’s agreement marks a significant step in aligning its aviation sector with international standards.

VanderToll also welcomed plans by the US International Development Finance Corporation to invest in Phnom Penh International Airport, a move expected to enhance regional links and support Cambodia’s growing role in Southeast Asia’s aviation market.

The visit reaffirmed US backing for the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords and the December 27 ceasefire agreement, underscoring Washington’s wider commitment to stability in the Indo‑Pacific. Both sides pledged closer cooperation to ensure a “free and open” regional order.

For Cambodia, the deal signals confidence in its aviation infrastructure and a chance to diversify partnerships beyond its traditional reliance on China. For the US, it represents a strategic foothold in a region where air connectivity is increasingly tied to economic and geopolitical influence.

-2026-06-10