More Airlines Expected to Launch Flights to Siem Reap Airport

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More Airlines Expected to Launch Flights to Siem Reap Airport
Siem Reap Angkor International Airport./Image credit: Xinhua

Three South Korean airlines — East Jet Airways, T’way Air, and Jeju Air — have applied to begin operating flights to Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI), potentially bringing the total number of airlines serving the airport to 16, according to the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA).

The carriers are expected to begin service by the end of 2025, according to a statement made by SSCA spokesperson, Sinn Chanserey Vutha, on June 24.

International airlines currently operating at SAI include IndiGo (India), Firefly (Malaysia), and the newly launched Air Cambodia. The growing interest in the airport follows Emirates’ recent announcement of a thrice-weekly route linking Dubai and Siem Reap via Bangkok.

“This is a positive sign for Cambodia’s aviation sector,” Vutha said. “It demonstrates the appeal of Siem Reap as a destination and the capabilities of the new airport infrastructure.”

He noted that rising demand for direct access to Siem Reap – home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Angkor Archaeological Park – is driving renewed interest among regional and long-haul carriers.

Air Cambodia (K6) is scheduled to launch its inaugural flight from Siem Reap to Shenzhen, China, on July 18. The launch event will be attended by SSCA Minister, Mao Havannall, and Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia, Wang Wenbin.

Officials say the expansion of flight connectivity supports Cambodia’s broader strategy to enhance its aviation and tourism sectors. 

According to SSCA data, Cambodia welcomed 3.04 million air passengers between January and May 2025 – an 18 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024. During this time, international and domestic airlines operated a total of 27,670 flights through the country’s three international airports. 

Cargo volume also saw growth, reaching 29,019 tonnes; a 5 per cent increase year-over-year. The SSCA projects Cambodia to receive 7.5 million air passengers in 2025, marking a 20 per cent rise over 2024.

Located about 50 kilometers from Siem Reap city, SAI officially opened in October 2023. The 4E-level facility features a 3,600-metre runway and 38 aircraft berths. The airport currently has the capacity to handle 7 million passengers annually, with plans to expand to 12 million by 2040.