Aviation: Air Cambodia sets course for Vientiane again
The national carrier will resume direct flights between Phnom Penh and the Lao capital in mid-December, with three rotations a week. The airline is also expecting its first Chinese-built COMAC C909 jets before the end of the year.
Air Cambodia is going back to Laos. The national carrier will resume direct flights to Vientiane in mid-December.
The State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) announced the return of the direct route on 2 November. Flights will link Techo International Airport in Phnom Penh with Wattay International Airport in Vientiane. Three flights a week are planned, on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
For SSCA spokesperson Sinn Chanserey Vutha, the resumption reflects the airline's "growing operational confidence". It also shows, he said, its commitment to regional connectivity within ASEAN and the Mekong sub-region.
Air Cambodia will not be alone on the route. Cambodia Airways has linked the two cities since 29 January, with two flights a week on Thursdays and Sundays. Its inaugural flight carried 153 passengers, according to the Lao news agency KPL.
An air bridge between two Mekong neighbours
Cambodia and Laos share a border and the Mekong. The SSCA expects the route to give travellers a more convenient option between the two capitals, for tourists and business people alike.
The authorities also see it as a lever for bilateral trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges. They place it within ASEAN economic integration and Mekong sub-regional cooperation.
With Air Cambodia back, two Cambodian airlines will serve the route. If both schedules hold, direct capacity will reach five flights a week in each direction.
Chinese jets and Boeings: a fleet in transition
The Vientiane return comes with a modernisation plan. Air Cambodia currently operates three Airbus A320s and three ATR 72-600s, according to Air Journal.
On 17 July in Shanghai, in the presence of Prime Minister Hun Manet, the airline signed a deal with COMAC for 20 C909 regional jets. It is the first bulk order for the aircraft by a foreign national carrier. The first two are expected in the fourth quarter. The C909 is certified by Chinese authorities but not by European or US regulators.
On the American side, Boeing has confirmed an order for ten 737 MAX aircraft. The aim is to add capacity across the regional and international network.
The airline is also working on its image. On 28 October it announced a Skytrax "4-Star Regional Airline" rating, which recognises its airport and onboard products and the service of its staff.
Air Cambodia's shareholding remains mixed. The Cambodian state holds 30% and Vietnam Airlines 14%. The rest belongs to Henan Airport Investment Group and Hong Kong company 7Trip International. The SSCA says it will support the airline's growth through safety oversight and regulatory compliance.
Practical information
Phnom Penh (Techo International Airport) - Vientiane (Wattay International Airport). Service resumes in mid-December 2026, three flights a week: Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Schedules and fares to be confirmed by Air Cambodia.
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