Cambodia has expanded its international aviation network through air service agreements with 48 countries and territories, while air cargo volumes rose 18% year-on-year during the first nine months of 2026, even as passenger traffic declined amid weaker international travel demand.
Passenger traffic through Cambodia’s three international airports reached 4.56 million from January to September 2026, down 11% from 5.11 million during the same period in 2025. In contrast, air cargo volumes increased to 76,294 tonnes from 64,513 tonnes, according to official aviation statistics cited by Kampuchea Thmey.
The contrasting trends highlight a shift in Cambodia’s aviation performance, with freight activity showing stronger growth than passenger travel during the reporting period.
Key Facts: Cambodia’s Aviation Performance in 2026
Air service agreements: 48 countries and territories.
Passenger traffic, January–September 2026: 4.56 million, down 11% year-on-year.
Air cargo, January–September 2026: 76,294 tonnes, up 18% year-on-year.
Passenger traffic in September: 398,402, down 20% year-on-year.
Air cargo in September: 9,735 tonnes, up 25% year-on-year.
September passenger flights: 4,532, down 10% year-on-year and 8% from August.
International airports covered: Phnom Penh, Siem Reap Angkor and Sihanoukville.
Reported pressure on passenger demand: Ongoing conflicts in Europe and the Middle East.
Cambodia Maintains Air Service Agreements with 48 Countries and Territories
Cambodia’s bilateral air service agreements cover 48 countries and territories, connecting the Kingdom with aviation partners across Asia, Europe, Africa, Oceania and the Americas.
The network includes all ASEAN member states, alongside major aviation markets such as China, Japan, South Korea, India, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, France, Australia, the United States and Brazil.
These agreements provide a framework for international air connectivity and can support the development of routes and aviation services between participating markets.
They are also intended to facilitate tourism, promote trade and strengthen Cambodia’s integration into international transport networks.
However, the number of air service agreements does not necessarily represent the number of countries with direct flights to Cambodia. Actual connectivity depends on factors including airline operations, route demand, airport capacity and the commercial viability of individual services.
Passenger Traffic Falls 11% in the First Nine Months
Cambodia recorded 4.56 million passengers through its international airports during the first nine months of 2026, representing an 11% decline from the 5.11 million passengers recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.
The decline indicates continued pressure on international passenger travel during the reporting period.
According to the report, officials attributed much of the weakness to ongoing conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, which affected international travel demand.
Geopolitical instability can influence travel decisions, airline schedules and passenger confidence. However, the published figures do not quantify the contribution of individual conflicts or other factors to Cambodia’s overall passenger decline.
For the tourism industry, passenger traffic remains an important indicator because it affects the movement of international visitors and the demand for services such as hotels, restaurants, transportation and tour operations.
The latest statistics suggest that Cambodia’s aviation sector continued to face challenges on the passenger side even as cargo activity strengthened.
September Passenger Traffic Drops 20% Year-on-Year
Monthly data showed a further decline in passenger activity in September.
Cambodia’s three international airports recorded 4,532 passenger flights during the month, down 8% from August and 10% compared with September 2025.
Passenger traffic reached 398,402 travellers, representing an 11% decrease from the previous month and a 20% decline from the same month last year.
The year-on-year decrease in September was larger than the 11% decline recorded across the first nine months, indicating particularly weak passenger performance during the month.
Nevertheless, one month of data is not sufficient to establish whether the decline represents a longer-term trend or a temporary deterioration in travel demand.
Further monthly statistics will help determine whether passenger traffic stabilises or continues to face downward pressure.
Air Cargo Volumes Rise 18% as Freight Demand Strengthens
While passenger numbers weakened, Cambodia’s air cargo sector recorded stronger performance.
Air cargo volumes reached 76,294 tonnes between January and September 2026, up 18% from 64,513 tonnes during the same period in 2025.
The increase represents an additional 11,781 tonnes of cargo handled during the nine-month period.
September also recorded continued growth. Air cargo volumes reached 9,735 tonnes, up 3% from August and 25% compared with September 2025.
The figures suggest that freight activity remained comparatively resilient despite the decline in passenger travel.
Air cargo supports international trade by enabling businesses to transport goods that may require faster delivery than other modes of transport. It can be particularly relevant for time-sensitive shipments, high-value products and supply chains that depend on reliable delivery schedules.
However, the published statistics do not identify the commodities responsible for the increase or specify how much of the growth came from exports, imports or transit shipments.
The extent to which the increase reflects stronger Cambodian exports, changes in import demand or other cargo movements therefore remains unclear.
What Rising Air Cargo Means for Cambodia’s Trade and Logistics
The divergence between passenger and cargo performance highlights the different forces influencing Cambodia’s aviation sector.
Passenger traffic is closely linked to tourism, business travel, visiting friends and relatives, and wider international travel conditions. Cargo activity, meanwhile, reflects demand for freight transportation and the logistics requirements of businesses and supply chains.
The 18% increase in cargo volumes could create opportunities for airlines, freight forwarders, logistics providers, customs service companies and businesses involved in international trade.
For exporters, reliable air freight can provide an alternative for shipments that require speed or specialised handling. It can also complement maritime and road transport within broader supply chains.
Nevertheless, air cargo is generally only one component of a country’s logistics system. The commercial benefits of rising volumes depend on shipping costs, handling capacity, customs procedures, shipment reliability and the types of goods being transported.
Without a breakdown by commodity, destination and shipment origin, it is too early to determine how much the cargo increase has contributed to Cambodia’s export competitiveness.
Cambodia’s International Aviation Network and Economic Integration
Cambodia’s network of air service agreements provides a framework for expanding aviation relationships across multiple regions.
International air connectivity can support tourism, business travel, trade and investment by improving links between Cambodia and overseas markets.
The agreements may also provide a foundation for airlines to explore additional services where passenger demand, cargo opportunities and commercial conditions justify operations.
However, agreements alone do not guarantee new routes or higher traffic. Airlines must assess operating costs, passenger demand, aircraft availability, airport infrastructure and competition before launching or expanding services.
For Cambodia, the challenge is therefore not only to maintain international aviation agreements but also to translate them into commercially sustainable connections that serve travellers and businesses.
Angkor Times Analysis: Cargo Growth Offers an Opportunity, but Passenger Weakness Remains a Concern
Cambodia’s aviation statistics for the first nine months of 2026 show two contrasting developments: passenger traffic declined while cargo volumes expanded.
Three areas warrant attention.
First, the sustainability of cargo growth. The 18% year-on-year increase is a positive indicator for freight activity. Further information on commodity categories, export and import volumes, and destination markets would help establish whether the increase reflects stronger trade demand or changes in cargo flows.
Second, the recovery of passenger demand. The 20% year-on-year fall in September passenger traffic highlights the pressure facing international travel. Tourism businesses and airlines will be watching whether subsequent months show improvement and whether geopolitical uncertainty continues to affect demand.
Third, the conversion of aviation agreements into practical connectivity. Cambodia’s agreements with 48 countries and territories provide a broad framework for international aviation cooperation. Their economic value will depend on actual route availability, service frequency, passenger demand and the capacity to move goods efficiently.
Overall, cargo growth is an encouraging development for Cambodia’s logistics and trade sectors, but it does not eliminate the challenges posed by declining passenger numbers. The next set of aviation statistics will be important in assessing whether these divergent trends continue.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many countries and territories have air service agreements with Cambodia?
Cambodia maintains air service agreements with 48 countries and territories, including all ASEAN member states and partners across Asia, Europe, Africa, Oceania and the Americas.
How many passengers travelled through Cambodia’s international airports in the first nine months of 2026?
Passenger traffic reached 4.56 million from January to September 2026, down 11% from 5.11 million in the same period of 2025.
How much did Cambodia’s air cargo volume increase in 2026?
Air cargo volumes reached 76,294 tonnes during the first nine months of 2026, an 18% year-on-year increase.
What happened to passenger traffic in September 2026?
Passenger traffic totalled 398,402 travellers, down 11% from August and 20% compared with September 2025.
Why did passenger traffic decline?
The report cited ongoing conflicts in Europe and the Middle East as major factors affecting international travel demand. It did not quantify the contribution of these conflicts to the overall decline.
Does Cambodia have direct flights to all 48 countries and territories?
The reported figure refers to air service agreements, not necessarily active direct flight routes. Actual services depend on airline operations, demand and commercial conditions.