Siem Reap, July 19 — In a significant boost to Cambodia’s tourism sector, the national flag carrier Air Cambodia (K6) inaugurated its first direct flight between Siem Reap and Shenzhen, China on July 18. Flight K6929 landed at Siem Reap Angkor International Airport to a traditional water salute, marking the official launch of a long-awaited direct air link between Angkor Wat and four of China’s first-tier cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen.
The flight carried a full load of passengers from Shenzhen, underlining strong interest in the new route. Until now, travelers from China to Siem Reap often had to transit through Phnom Penh, a hurdle that deterred direct visitation to Cambodia’s crown jewel—Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Senior officials from both countries attended inaugural ceremonies at Shenzhen and Siem Reap airports. Notable attendees included H.E. Chea Aun, Permanent Secretary of State at the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation of Cambodia; H.E. Ngouv Sengkak, Deputy Governor of Siem Reap; H.E. Soeung Rathchavy, Cambodian Ambassador to China; Mr. Zhang Zhaoxin from the Chinese Consular Office in Siem Reap; and H.E. Hang Sandap, Under Secretary of State at Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism. Delegates from Shenzhen’s transport, tourism, and foreign affairs bureaus also took part.
The new route is operated by Airbus A320/A321 aircraft, with weekly departures from Siem Reap every Thursday at 21:30, and returns from Shenzhen every Friday at 06:20. The flight duration is approximately 2.5 hours and includes both economy and business class options.
Officials and industry leaders welcomed the route as a strategic addition that serves both leisure and business travelers. It opens a direct corridor to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, home to over 86 million people and one of China’s most economically dynamic regions.
“This direct flight eliminates the need for tourists to double back to Phnom Penh, saving at least a full day of travel,” said H.E. Chea Aun. “It creates a more seamless experience for travelers and helps Siem Reap reclaim its place as the premier destination for Chinese tourists.”
The flight also strengthens Cambodia’s position as a regional travel hub. Tourists can now fly into Siem Reap and depart from Phnom Penh, or vice versa, offering flexible travel itineraries and boosting demand for “Khmer twin city” tours.
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Chinese travel agencies have responded swiftly. Guangzhou GZL International Travel Service dispatched its first tour group of 50 visitors under the “Guangzhou-Shenzhen Link, Khmer Twin Cities – 1,000-Person Greater Bay Area Tour to Cambodia” program, signaling strong outbound interest from the region.
Mr. Zhan David, Vice Chairman and CEO of Air Cambodia, said the launch aligns perfectly with the broader diplomatic narrative between the two countries.
“July 19 marks the 67th anniversary of Cambodia-China diplomatic relations,” he said. “This direct route, developed in collaboration with Shenzhen Airport Group and Yunnan Air Investment (Cambodia) Airport Management Co., Ltd., addresses a long-standing market gap. It supports the vision outlined in April by both national leaders to declare 2025 the ‘China-Cambodia Tourism Year.’”
Mr. Zhan added that the route also opens opportunities for international travelers. “We anticipate that European and American tourists already in Cambodia will increasingly use this connection to continue their journeys into China.”
With Angkor Wat once again directly accessible to one of Cambodia’s largest tourism markets, and with the continued celebration of the 2025 China-Cambodia Tourism Year, the new flight is expected to significantly increase visitor arrivals and stimulate local economies in both countries.
Tourism stakeholders have welcomed the move, viewing it as a long-overdue development that repositions Siem Reap as a priority destination for Chinese travelers and a vital link in cross-border regional tourism.
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