Cambodia: The government has set itself the ambitious target of attracting 25 million air passengers by 2035

The Cambodian government has approved the National Air Transport Policy 2025-2035, which sets the ambitious goal of attracting 25 million air passengers by 2035.

This policy, approved at a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Hun Manet, aims to ‘develop a sustainable and resilient air transport system while improving Cambodia's national, regional and global connectivity’. It also aims to ‘create fair business opportunities in the civil aviation sector’.

Sinn Chanserey Vutha, spokesperson for the Secretary of State for Civil Aviation (SSCA), emphasised that Cambodia expects to welcome 7.5 million air passengers in 2025, an increase of 20% compared to 2024.

This growth is part of broader efforts to boost tourism, trade and socio-economic connectivity. Key infrastructure projects, such as the Phnom Penh International Airport scheduled to open in July 2025, are expected to play a vital role in achieving these goals by accommodating larger aircraft and attracting more international airlines.

The SSCA has also presented projects aimed at rationalising flight operations and developing international connections through partnerships with airlines such as Turkish Airlines, Etihad Airways and Emirates. In addition, bilateral agreements with countries such as Japan and the United Kingdom are being negotiated to further improve flight connectivity.