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Friday, 15 August 2025

Siem Reap Takes Off: Four New Airlines Set to Boost Tourism from October

Siem Reap Angkor International Airport
A Fresh Wave of Flights to Cambodia’s Cultural Heart

Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI) is preparing for a major uplift in international tourism, with four new airlines set to begin operations on October 26, 2025. Qatar Airways, IndiGo, Eastar Jet, and Firefly Airlines will open new routes to Siem Reap, marking a pivotal step in Cambodia’s post-pandemic tourism recovery and the strategic expansion of its aviation network.

The new routes are expected to reinvigorate long-haul travel to the iconic temple city and create greater regional connectivity across South and Southeast Asia.

Reconnecting Siem Reap with the World

With Angkor Wat and its UNESCO-listed wonders as a magnet for global travellers, direct air links play a crucial role in Siem Reap’s tourism success. The addition of Qatar Airways offers a significant bridge to Europe and the United States via Doha, creating seamless long-haul travel options for international tourists.

At the same time, IndiGo’s upcoming connection from Kolkata is set to enhance accessibility from India, one of the world’s fastest-growing outbound travel markets. Cambodia currently has limited air links to Indian cities, so the new service will be an important route to capture Indian interest in cultural tourism and short-haul getaways.

Strengthening Regional Tourism Ties

Eastar Jet’s entry into the Cambodian market is a welcome move to address the decline in Korean arrivals. As a low-cost airline from South Korea, Eastar Jet opens the door for more Korean travellers—who are typically high-spending tourists—to explore Siem Reap’s heritage and hospitality offerings.

Similarly, Firefly Airlines’ launch of services from Malaysia presents new opportunities to grow visitor numbers from neighbouring ASEAN countries. With Malaysia and Cambodia in close proximity, improved air connectivity could turn short-haul Malaysian travel into a key growth market for Siem Reap tourism.

Strategic Goals for a Sustainable Tourism Sector

Speaking with Khmer Times, Chhay Sivlin, President of the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents (CATA), emphasised the importance of the upcoming airline additions in boosting visibility and demand. She highlighted Qatar Airways’ global marketing reach as a valuable asset in positioning Cambodia as a desirable long-haul destination.

Siem Reap Angkor International Airport

Sivlin also noted that Cambodia’s aviation goals align closely with broader tourism strategies, aiming to diversify inbound travel while ensuring sustainability. “These upcoming connections present a positive move in Cambodia’s tourism activities,” she stated.

With increasing border tensions affecting land travel with Thailand since May 2025, the timing of these air route additions is especially significant. Tourists who once travelled overland through checkpoints like Poipet may now favour the safety and convenience of air travel.

Rising Arrivals Reflect Growing Interest

Cambodia welcomed over 1.2 million international air arrivals in the first five months of 2025, with SAI handling more than 308,000 passengers. As the gateway to Angkor, Siem Reap accounts for over a quarter of the country’s total inbound air traffic. The growth trajectory is expected to rise further with the upcoming airline launches, helping Cambodia build a more resilient and diverse tourism sector.

Looking ahead, Siem Reap’s airport authority is exploring additional routes to Indonesia, the Philippines, Myanmar, Brunei, and Australia. This planned expansion underscores the city’s ambition to become a regional hub not only for cultural discovery but also for broader economic growth.

For flight schedules, visa information, and travel planning, visit:
Ministry of Tourism Cambodia: https://tourismcambodia.org/

Siem Reap Angkor International Airport: https://english.sai-airport.com/

For more information about Mekong tourism and regional updates, visit:

Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office
Website: www.mekongtourism.org
Email: info@mekongtourism-mtco.org

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