Siem Reap airport to add 4 new airlines, eyes tourism boost
Synopsis: The upcoming routes not only align with national tourism goals but also demonstrate momentum in diversifying Cambodia’s aviation network to drive sustainable growth in the sector.
Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI) is set to welcome four new international carriers – Qatar Airways, IndiGo, Eastar Jet and Firefly Airlines –starting October 26, as part of efforts to strengthen regional air connectivity and attract higher volumes of inbound tourism.
The expansion is strategically aimed at boosting Cambodia’s post-pandemic tourism recovery, with a particular focus on reactivating long-haul arrivals from the European market and stimulating local economic activity in Siem Reap, a province heavily reliant on international travellers.
A SAI official who declined to be named told the media on Friday that from October 26 to March 23 next year, Doha-based Qatar Airways, India’s IndiGo, South Korea’s Eastar Jet, and Malaysia’s Firefly Airlines will begin operations to Siem Reap province.
“These upcoming connections present a positive move in Cambodia tourism activities in Siem Reap. Although Cambodia doesn’t have direct flights to the EU, at this time, Emirates and Qatar Airways are the best options for connecting with Europe,” he noted.
The official emphasised that recent border tensions between Cambodia and Thailand have prompted a notable shift toward air travel, with increasing numbers of Cambodian and Thai nationals choosing to fly rather than cross by land.
He added that the SAI management team is actively working to expand air services to additional markets, with Indonesia, the Philippines, Brunei, Myanmar, and Australia identified as key growth targets to further position Siem Reap as a regional aviation and tourism gateway.
Speaking to Khmer Times, Chhay Sivlin, President of the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents (CATA), said that the four airlines soon to operate new routes with SAI are all well-established and strategically important for the inbound tourism market.
Sivlin said, “Qatar Airways is a full-service airline with strong connectivity to Europe and the United States. As passengers land in Doha, they may consider extending their trip to Cambodia since a direct route to Siem Reap is now available.”
Beyond passenger convenience, she highlighted that Qatar Airways’ robust marketing and global promotional network will further amplify the visibility of Cambodia’s key tourist destinations, especially Angkor Wat and surrounding attractions in Siem Reap.
Regarding India, Sivlin said, “IndiGo has an extensive global routing system, and Indian tourists are now heavily targeted by many countries due to India’s large population, which has surpassed even China.”
She noted that Cambodia currently offers only one direct flight from New Delhi to Phnom Penh. “The new route from Kolkata to Siem Reap is expected to enhance accessibility for Indian travellers and strengthen tourism flows.”
On the Korean market, Sivlin pointed out that Eastar Jet, a budget airline, could help reverse the current slowdown in Korean tourist arrivals. “Despite being high-quality travellers with strong spending capacity, the number of Korean tourists remains modest. Additional direct flights from Seoul to Siem Reap are essential,” she said.
Turning to Firefly Airlines, Sivlin said, “While Malaysia and Cambodia are geographically close, the volume of Malaysian tourists is not yet significant. More direct connections between Siem Reap and major Malaysian cities could help unlock that market potential.”
She went on to add that the upcoming routes not only align with national tourism goals but also demonstrate momentum in diversifying Cambodia’s aviation network to drive sustainable growth in the sector.
According to the latest Tourism Statistics Report, international tourist arrivals through Cambodia’s three major international airports reached 1,216,252 in the first five months of 2025. Of that total, SAI handled approximately 308,818 passengers, accounting for 25.4 percent of the total inbound air traffic.
The report showed that Thailand led all source markets with 856,169 tourists visiting Cambodia, followed by Vietnam with 514,511 arrivals and China close behind with 488,973 inbound visitors by May this year.
However, these figures were recorded before the border tension erupted on May 28, which could affect future tourist flows, particularly Thai nationals and international travellers transiting through the Poipet checkpoint—depending on how the situation evolves.
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