Cambodia’s three international airports handled approximately 4.56 million arriving and departing passengers from January to September 2026, representing an 11% decline compared with the same period in 2025, according to the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA).
SSCA Secretary of State and spokesperson Sinn Chanserey Vutha reported that the country recorded 4,558,155 passenger movements and 46,721 flights during the first nine months of the year. While passenger traffic and flight movements declined, air cargo transport and overflight movements across Cambodian airspace increased, indicating differing trends across the aviation sector.
Key Facts
Passenger movements: 4,558,155, down 11% year-on-year.
Flight movements: 46,721, down 2%.
Air cargo: 76,294 tonnes, up 18%.
Overflight movements: 69,149, up 8%.
Reporting period: January–September 2026.
Reporting authority: State Secretariat of Civil Aviation.
International air service agreements: Cambodia had signed 48 agreements with countries across multiple regions as of 2026.
Passenger Traffic Falls 11% Across Three International Airports
Cambodia’s three international airports recorded a combined 4.56 million passenger movements during the first nine months of 2026.
The 11% year-on-year decline points to weaker passenger traffic compared with the same period last year. The reported total includes both arriving and departing passengers, rather than arrivals alone.
Flight movements also decreased, although at a slower rate. The SSCA recorded 46,721 flights, representing a 2% decline compared with January–September 2025.
The available figures do not break down passenger traffic by individual airport, international route, airline or passenger nationality. They therefore do not establish which airports or markets accounted for the decline.
For Cambodia’s tourism and hospitality businesses, passenger traffic is an important indicator because international air connectivity supports visitor arrivals, business travel and the movement of overseas investors. However, the passenger figures alone do not explain the reasons behind the downturn.
Air Cargo Transport Increases 18%
While passenger traffic declined, Cambodia’s air cargo sector recorded growth.
Air cargo transport reached 76,294 tonnes during the first nine months of 2026, an increase of 18% year-on-year.
Cargo performance can differ from passenger traffic because the two segments serve different market needs. Passenger movements are associated with tourism, business travel and other personal journeys, while air freight supports the transportation of goods.
The increase in cargo volumes provides a contrasting indicator within Cambodia’s aviation sector. However, the report does not identify the main cargo categories, destinations, commodities or factors behind the growth.
Further breakdowns would be needed to assess whether the increase was driven by particular export products, import demand, logistics activity or changes in airline cargo capacity.
Overflight Movements Rise 8%
Cambodian airspace also recorded increased overflight activity.
According to the SSCA, overflight movements reached 69,149 during January–September 2026, up 8% compared with the corresponding period a year earlier.
Overflights are aircraft movements through a country’s airspace that do not necessarily involve landing at an airport in that country. They are therefore distinct from passenger movements and airport flight statistics.
The increase indicates higher reported overflight activity across Cambodian airspace during the period. The source did not provide information on specific routes, airlines, aircraft types or revenue associated with these movements.
Cambodia Has Signed 48 Air Service Agreements
As of 2026, Cambodia had signed 48 Air Service Agreements (ASAs) with countries across ASEAN, East Asia, Southeast Asia, West Asia, Europe, Oceania, North America, South America and Africa.
Air Service Agreements establish frameworks for international air services between countries. Depending on their terms, they can provide the basis for airlines to operate designated international routes and support the development of aviation links.
The number of agreements reflects the geographical scope of Cambodia’s aviation relationships. However, signing an agreement does not necessarily mean that direct flights operate between the countries concerned. Actual connectivity depends on factors including airline decisions, passenger demand, airport capacity and the rights and conditions specified in each agreement.
The SSCA figures supplied in the report do not identify how many of the 48 agreements currently support active routes or how many new services were introduced during 2026.
Angkor Times Analysis
Cambodia’s aviation figures for the first nine months of 2026 reveal contrasting performance across three key indicators: passenger movements declined, air cargo volumes increased and overflight activity expanded.
The 11% drop in passenger traffic is particularly relevant to the tourism and hospitality sectors, which depend partly on international air connectivity. Airlines, hotels, tour operators and other travel-related businesses may need to assess demand trends carefully when planning capacity, staffing and marketing activities.
Nevertheless, the reported figures should not be interpreted as a complete measure of Cambodia’s tourism performance. Passenger movements include both arrivals and departures, and the report does not provide a breakdown by airport, nationality, travel purpose or route. Additional tourism data would be needed to determine how much of the decline reflects changes in visitor demand.
The 18% increase in air cargo offers a different perspective on the sector. It suggests that cargo activity expanded during a period when passenger movements contracted, although further data are needed to identify the commercial drivers and economic value of that growth.
Meanwhile, the increase in overflight movements highlights the importance of distinguishing traffic passing through Cambodian airspace from flights serving the country’s airports.
For policymakers and aviation stakeholders, the next useful step would be to examine more detailed data on airport-level passenger trends, route performance, cargo categories and the implementation of existing Air Service Agreements. Such information would help identify where connectivity is strengthening, where demand is weakening and which areas may require further attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many passengers did Cambodia’s international airports handle in the first nine months of 2026?
Cambodia’s three international airports recorded 4,558,155 arriving and departing passenger movements from January to September 2026.
How much did passenger traffic decline?
Passenger movements fell by 11% compared with the same period in 2025.
How many flights were recorded?
The SSCA reported 46,721 flight movements, down 2% year-on-year.
Did air cargo also decline?
No. Air cargo transport increased by 18% to 76,294 tonnes during the first nine months of 2026.
What happened to overflight movements?
Overflight movements across Cambodian airspace rose by 8% to 69,149.
How many Air Service Agreements has Cambodia signed?
Cambodia had signed 48 Air Service Agreements with countries across several world regions as of 2026, according to the SSCA.
Do the passenger figures represent tourist arrivals?
No. The reported figure covers arriving and departing passenger movements at the three international airports. It is not a count of international tourist arrivals alone