IndiGo and Firefly halt Siem Reap flights

Cambodia’s tourism hub of Siem Reap has suffered a fresh setback after two regional airlines suspended direct routes, raising concerns over visitor numbers and the wider travel industry.

India’s IndiGo Airlines confirmed it will pause its service between Kolkata and Siem Reap from July, citing rising fuel costs and operational pressures linked to the Middle East conflict. The announcement follows Malaysia’s Firefly Airlines, which halted its Kuala Lumpur–Siem Reap flights in February after just three months of operation.

Sin Chansereivutha, spokesperson for Cambodia’s State Secretariat of Civil Aviation, said the suspensions reflect a global trend as carriers cut unprofitable routes. “Companies need time to reorganise their market strategies,” he explained, adding that rerouting flights through hubs such as Bangkok or Singapore increases costs and reduces Western tourist arrivals.

The impact is already being felt locally. Tour guides and hospitality businesses in Siem Reap say they rely heavily on Indian and Malaysian visitors. “I can feel the pressure, as I work with both Western and Indian tourists,” said Chan Monicharya, a guide leader in the province.

Industry leaders warn the loss of direct links to India is particularly damaging. Chhay Sivlin, president of the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents, described the suspension as “a blow” to efforts targeting India’s fast‑growing outbound market. Cambodia had recently launched promotional campaigns, including a “Cambodia‑India Tourism Year”, to attract travellers.

Despite the setback, Sivlin urged calm, noting that airlines operate with different strategies and others may step in to fill the gap. Meanwhile, the aviation sector faces wider changes, with Korean Air and Asiana Airlines set to merge later this year, a move expected to reshape Cambodia’s connections with North Asia.

Official figures show flights in and out of Cambodia rose slightly in early 2026, but passenger numbers fell by six per cent. For Siem Reap, home to the Angkor temples, the loss of direct flights adds to mounting pressure on a tourism industry already struggling to recover from regional disputes and global economic shocks.

-2026-06-25