Cambodia is exploring opportunities to strengthen air connectivity with Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries as the government seeks to diversify its tourism markets, expand aviation services and encourage new trade and business links.
The State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) has expressed its readiness to work with foreign aviation authorities, airlines and airport operators to explore potential direct and connecting flights between Cambodia and Central Asia. The initiative follows Prime Minister Hun Manet’s official visit to Kazakhstan, where he met with the chief executive of a travel company that previously operated tourist services between Astana and Sihanoukville.
The proposed expansion could create new opportunities for tourism operators, airlines, hotels and other businesses, although the resumption of direct flights has not yet been confirmed.
Key Facts: Cambodia’s Central Asian Aviation Expansion
Main target market: Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries.
Potential additional markets: Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.
Air connectivity options: Direct flights and connecting services, subject to commercial viability.
Previous route: Astana, Kazakhstan, to Sihanoukville, Cambodia.
Suspension: The previous service was suspended in 2024.
Cambodia’s passenger traffic: 4,558,155 passengers from January to September 2026, down 11% year-on-year.
Flight movements: 46,721 two-way flight movements during the same period, down 2%.
Airline network: 35 airlines operating flights to and from Cambodia, including four domestic carriers and 31 international airlines.
Cambodia Targets Kazakhstan and Five Central Asian Markets
The SSCA has backed the Ministry of Tourism’s interest in strengthening aviation connections with Kazakhstan and the wider Central Asian region.
SSCA spokesperson Sinn Chanserey Vutha said the secretariat was prepared to work with foreign aviation authorities, airlines and airport operators to identify opportunities for improved connectivity.
Besides Kazakhstan, potential markets include Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.
The options under consideration include direct services and connecting flights, depending on passenger demand and commercial viability.
Improved air links could make Cambodia more accessible to travellers from Central Asia while giving airlines and tourism businesses opportunities to develop new products and services.
However, the announcement does not confirm that new routes have been approved, that airlines have committed to operating them, or that a launch date has been established.
Cambodia Considers Resuming Astana–Sihanoukville Air Service
A key development behind the renewed interest in Central Asian connectivity was Prime Minister Hun Manet’s meeting with Kursad Bakir, founder and chief executive officer of Selfie Travel Asia, on October 17, 2026.
The meeting took place during Hun Manet’s visit to Kazakhstan to attend the seventh Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA).
Bakir briefed the prime minister on the company’s activities in aviation and air travel services, including its previous operations transporting tourists from Astana, Kazakhstan’s capital, to Sihanoukville in Cambodia.
The service was suspended in 2024.
Bakir said the company intended to resume the service and sought support from the Cambodian government to facilitate the restart.
Hun Manet welcomed the initiative and advised the company to work directly with Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism. He also encouraged the company to identify competitive tourism packages for discussion with the ministry.
The meeting indicates renewed interest in restoring the route, but the source report does not confirm that the airline or travel company has finalised operational arrangements or a restart date.
How Central Asian Flights Could Support Cambodia’s Tourism Industry
Stronger air connectivity could provide Cambodian tourism businesses with another opportunity to diversify their international customer base.
According to the SSCA spokesperson, direct flights could reduce travel time and improve convenience for visitors from Kazakhstan and other Central Asian markets.
Greater connectivity could also support demand for aviation services, accommodation, tour operators and other tourism-related businesses.
For tourism companies, the opportunity would involve developing products that meet the preferences, budgets and travel patterns of visitors from these markets.
Competitive packaged holidays, coordinated transport arrangements and partnerships between Cambodian and Central Asian travel businesses could help support the development of new visitor flows.
Nevertheless, the commercial success of any new route would depend on factors including passenger demand, ticket prices, flight frequency, seasonal travel patterns and operating costs.
The announcement did not provide visitor-arrival forecasts or projected revenue from a potential resumption of direct flights.
Cambodia’s Aviation Sector Faces Passenger Traffic Pressure
The proposed expansion comes as Cambodia’s aviation sector experiences weaker passenger traffic.
According to SSCA data cited by the Phnom Penh Post, Cambodia’s three international airports handled a combined 4,558,155 passengers from January to September 2026, down 11% compared with the same period in 2025.
Two-way flight movements totalled 46,721 during the nine-month period, representing a 2% year-on-year decline.
Cambodia currently has 35 airlines operating flights to and from the country, comprising four domestic carriers and 31 international airlines.
The passenger decline provides context for the government’s interest in exploring additional markets. Diversifying the countries from which visitors travel could give tourism businesses more options as they seek to attract international customers.
However, adding new routes alone would not guarantee an increase in overall passenger traffic. The effect would depend on whether new services attract additional visitors, support sustainable passenger demand and complement existing routes.
Techo International Airport and Cambodia’s International Connectivity
Cambodia’s three international airports identified in the report are Techo International Airport, Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport and Sihanoukville International Airport.
These airports serve different travel and economic needs, including access to the capital, tourism destinations and coastal areas.
A potential return of the Astana–Sihanoukville service would be particularly relevant to tourism and businesses connected with Cambodia’s coastal destination. Any future route decision would need to account for airport operations, airline requirements, passenger demand and the commercial viability of the service.
The source report does not specify which Cambodian airport would be used for any new direct services to Central Asia beyond discussing the previously operated Astana–Sihanoukville route.
Trade and Business Links Beyond Tourism
The SSCA spokesperson also highlighted the potential for improved aviation connectivity to support trade exchanges and people-to-people relations.
Air links can facilitate business travel and the movement of certain goods, while tourism partnerships can create commercial relationships between travel agencies, hotels, transport providers and other service businesses.
For Cambodia, stronger connections with Central Asia could provide an additional channel for developing economic relationships beyond established tourism markets.
However, the announcement did not identify specific trade agreements, cargo services or investment projects linked to the proposed aviation expansion.
Angkor Times Analysis: Turning Route Interest into Sustainable Tourism Growth
Cambodia’s interest in Central Asian aviation connectivity comes at a time when passenger traffic has declined, making market diversification an important area for the tourism and aviation sectors to examine.
Three issues will determine whether the initiative translates into measurable results.
First, whether the Astana–Sihanoukville service resumes. Selfie Travel Asia has expressed an intention to restart the previously suspended service, but a confirmed schedule, operating arrangements and launch date have not been announced.
Second, whether airlines can establish commercially viable routes. Direct flights may improve convenience, but airlines will need sufficient demand and sustainable operating economics. Connecting services may also provide an alternative where direct flights are not viable.
Third, whether tourism products match the target markets. Air connectivity is only one part of attracting visitors. Cambodian tourism businesses will need to work with regional partners to develop competitive packages and ensure that the destination experience meets visitor expectations.
The proposed expansion offers an opportunity to broaden Cambodia’s international tourism connections. Its impact will depend on confirmed flight operations, sustained demand and effective cooperation among government agencies, airlines and tourism businesses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Central Asian countries is Cambodia targeting for stronger air connectivity?
The potential markets identified by the SSCA include Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.
Could direct flights between Kazakhstan and Cambodia resume?
Selfie Travel Asia has expressed its intention to resume its previous service between Astana and Sihanoukville, which was suspended in 2024. A confirmed restart date has not been announced.
What did Hun Manet discuss with Selfie Travel Asia?
During their October 17 meeting in Kazakhstan, Kursad Bakir briefed the prime minister on the company’s aviation and air travel operations and its interest in resuming the Astana–Sihanoukville service. Hun Manet advised the company to engage with Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism.
How many passengers travelled through Cambodia’s international airports in the first nine months of 2026?
The three international airports handled 4,558,155 passengers from January to September 2026, down 11% year-on-year.
How many airlines currently operate in Cambodia?
The SSCA data cited in the report identified 35 airlines operating flights to and from Cambodia: four domestic carriers and 31 international airlines.
Have new direct flights to Central Asia been confirmed?
No confirmed new route or launch date was included in the report. The SSCA has expressed readiness to explore connectivity opportunities with aviation authorities, airlines and airport operators.