21/05/2026
📰SSCA Leads Cambodia’s Aviation Modernization Amid Passenger Decline
— The State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) is spearheading Cambodia’s push to modernize its aviation sector, aiming to strengthen global connectivity, raise safety standards and position the kingdom as a competitive regional hub, officials said Tuesday.
Minister Mao Havannall told lawmakers the aviation industry is now seen as a strategic “air connectivity” platform linking Cambodia to the global economy. He cited major reforms, including the 2025 Civil Aviation Law, ratification of the Montreal Convention 1999 and ASEAN aviation agreements, as key legal foundations for expansion.
The SSCA is upgrading air traffic management with digital and satellite‑based CNS/ATM technologies, enhancing navigation, radar, communication and aeronautical information systems to improve safety, efficiency and sustainability. He said Cambodia can now independently manage high‑density traffic at its three international airports, a milestone underscored by recent border tensions with Thailand.
Havannall highlighted internationally certified airports such as Techo International and Siem Reap Angkor, designed to meet global standards while reflecting Khmer identity and eco‑friendly concepts. He said stronger governance could attract major global carriers, noting Cambodia has signed air service agreements with 48 countries and is expanding cooperation with partners including Japan, the UK and Saudi Arabia.
Between January and April 2026, Cambodia’s airports handled 2.43 million passengers, a 4% drop compared to last year, despite a 2% rise in flight movements. Cargo traffic rose sharply to 30,448 tonnes, reflecting resilience in freight demand. SSCA said 33 airlines — four domestic and 29 international — currently operate flights to Cambodia, connecting the kingdom with ASEAN, China, South Korea, Japan, India, Qatar and the Middle East.
Despite challenges from geopolitical instability, border tensions and incomplete recovery in passenger traffic post‑COVID‑19, the government aims to restore aviation to pre‑pandemic levels under its 2025–2035 national aviation strategy, targeting 8 million passengers and 112,000 tonnes of cargo in 2026.
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By: Sopheng In
©KPT English