Cambodia Aviation Revenue Surpasses $51M Amid Strong Passenger Growth

Cambodia's civil aviation sector demonstrated robust growth in 2025, with state revenue collection surpassing $51 million despite ongoing challenges. According to the annual performance report from the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA), the sector saw significant increases in both passenger and cargo traffic, signaling a strong recovery and expansion phase. The total revenue of $51.26 million collected by the SSCA represented 101.32% of the target established in the 2024 Finance Law.

This financial performance was underpinned by a substantial rise in operational metrics. Air passenger traffic in 2025 reached 6.99 million, a 12% increase from the 6.24 million passengers recorded in 2024. Air cargo volumes experienced even more pronounced growth, totaling 93,889 tonnes, up 21% year-over-year. The SSCA report also noted a total of 64,821 inbound and outbound flights, an 11% increase over the previous year. The sector generated nearly $600 million in direct business operating revenue and provided 4,471 direct jobs, including 1,880 technical aviation specialists.

Expanding International Connectivity

A key driver of this growth was the expansion of international air services, facilitated by Cambodia's long-standing Open Skies Policy, implemented in 1999. Mao Havannall, the Minister in charge of the SSCA, attributed the sector's continued success to this policy. As of early 2026, Cambodia is served by 36 operating airlines, including four domestic and 32 international carriers, connecting the country to 46 cities across 18 nations.

The year 2025 was marked by the launch of several significant new routes, enhancing global connectivity. These included services from Turkish Airlines (Istanbul to Phnom Penh), Etihad Airways (Abu Dhabi to Phnom Penh), and Emirates (Dubai to Siem Reap). Regional connectivity was also boosted by new flights from Firefly (Kuala Lumpur to Siem Reap) and IndiGo (Kolkata to Siem Reap). This expansion was partly supported by new infrastructure, including the 2025 launch of operations at the new Techo International Airport (KTI) near Phnom Penh, which is designed to attract new long-haul carriers.

Future Growth and Strategic Agreements

Looking ahead, the SSCA has set ambitious targets for 2026, projecting 8 million air passengers, 112,000 tonnes of air cargo, and more than 72,000 flight movements. To support this growth, Cambodia is actively pursuing new bilateral air service agreements to further enhance connectivity.

“To further enhance air connectivity to Cambodia, both in increasing flight frequencies and opening new routes, bilateral air service agreement negotiations with six countries — the UK, Saudi Arabia, the US, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Argentina — are underway and are expected to lead to formal signings in the near future,” Havannall stated. These agreements are crucial for opening up new markets for tourism, trade, and investment.

Domestic and regional capacity is also poised for expansion. National carrier Air Cambodia has moved to modernize its fleet, finalizing an order for ten Boeing 737 MAX aircraft and signing a Memorandum of Understanding for up to 20 COMAC C909 regional jets. This fleet renewal indicates a long-term strategy to support the country's growing aviation demands.

Why This Matters

The 2025 performance data indicates that Cambodia's aviation sector is not only recovering but also successfully leveraging new infrastructure and liberal policies to establish itself as a growing hub in the competitive ASEAN aviation market. The focus on securing new bilateral agreements with countries outside the traditional Asian market signals a strategic effort to diversify tourism and trade partners. This sustained growth is critical for Cambodia's broader economic development, directly impacting tourism, trade, and foreign investment.

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