Will Cambodia-India Direct Flights Commence In 2024?
Progress in commercial and economic partnerships between Cambodia and India, means there has been progress in seeing direct flights between Cambodia and India become a reality in 2024.
The Cambodian Ambassador to India, Koy Kuong, announced that Cambodia-India direct flights will possibly commence operations in April 2024. He had also previously hinted back in August 2023 that flights between Cambodia and India were a possibility in 2024.
Kuong met with Hun Lak, who heads the Cambodia Oknha Association (COA) as Secretary General, on a trip to India for the official establishment of the joint Cambodia-India Business Council in February 2024. The Cambodian Ambassador to India stated that the Cambodian Embassy is currently working with their Indian counterparts to reach a final decision on connecting direct flights between the two nations. Kuong emphasised that the addition of these flights will help to expand tourism potential.
In addition to increasing tourism, the flights also pave the way for cooperation between the two countries in trade and investment. The implementation of the direct air route is expected after the finalisation of the legal procedures for air connectivity. Sin Chansereyvutha, the spokesperson for the State Secretary of Civil Aviation (SCCA), said that Cambodia has approved the air procedures for local airlines, Cambodia Angkor Air and Cambodia Airways, to possibly begin direct flights with India.
To summarise:
- Flights between cities in India and Siem Reap could be operated by InterGlobe Aviation Limited (IndiGo) and possibly commence in 2024.
- There are also direct flights being discussed between New Delhi and Phnom Penh which could be in operation by April or May, and no later than June 2024, by Cambodia Angkor Air.
- Cambodia Airways has been cleared for flights by the SCCA but it is not clear where they would offer direct flights between India and Cambodia.
Cambodia-India Economic Opportunities
The Indian Business Chamber in Cambodia (IBCC) was officially inaugurated at the start of 2024, with a mission to promote and facilitate trade and investment between India and Cambodia. At the IBCC’s launch, Dr. Devyani Khobragade, Ambassador of India to Cambodia, shared that a Duty-Free Tariff Preference Scheme, negotiations for a Bilateral Investment Treaty, and a preferential trade agreement and Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement were just some of the frameworks and policies in place, or in development between Cambodia and India.
According to Cambodian customs data, bilateral trade between the two countries amounted to USD $485.7 million in 2023. Cambodia recorded a significant increase in the number of Indian tourists which reached 68,836 in 2023 compared to 34,016 in 2022.
Cambodia Direct Flights
- Direct flights to Cambodia from Europe, North America, Australasia, and Africa are currently unavailable. Travellers from these regions typically need to connect through other countries in Southeast or East Asia.
- There are direct flights to Phnom Penh from cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Seoul, Bangkok, Vientiane, Ho Chi Minh City, and various cities across China.
- Siem Reap also offers direct flights to/from Singapore, Bangkok, and Ho Chi Minh City among others in the region.
- There are land borders open to foreigners from neighbouring Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos, with visas available on arrival.