Phnom Penh – Air Cambodia, the Kingdom’s national carrier, is set to launch a new route connecting Phnom Penh to Tokyo, Japan, before the end of 2025, with plans underway to expand to Osaka in the near future.
Sinn Chanserey Vutha, secretary of state at the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA), confirmed that Minister Mao Havannall signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on June 30 with senior Japanese aviation authorities to facilitate new air transport routes between the two countries. The MoU grants Air Cambodia approval to operate flights to Tokyo, with the Osaka route to follow at a later stage.
“The Phnom Penh–Tokyo flight will initially operate with a stopover in China due to current limitations,” Vutha stated. “However, we are also planning a direct service to Osaka, which will be implemented once operational conditions allow.”
He emphasized that the new air link is expected to enhance bilateral ties by boosting tourism, trade, and investment, as well as facilitating cargo transport between Cambodia and Japan.
This marks a significant milestone in restoring direct air connectivity between the two nations. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, All Nippon Airways (ANA) operated direct flights between Cambodia and Japan. However, the service was suspended in January 2021 due to a steep decline in passenger demand. Industry sources suggest that ANA may consider resuming Cambodia-bound flights in 2026.
The renewed momentum in aviation cooperation comes at a time of robust growth in Cambodia’s air traffic. The SSCA reported that between January and May 2025, the Kingdom’s three international airports — Phnom Penh, Siem Reap-Angkor, and Preah Sihanouk — handled 27,670 inbound and outbound flights, a 14% increase year-on-year. Passenger traffic reached over 3 million, up 18%, while air cargo volumes rose to 29,019 tonnes, a 5% increase.
Tourism figures have also shown promising trends. The Ministry of Tourism recorded 2.95 million international visitors in the first five months of 2025 — an 11.7% rise compared to the same period in 2024. Among these, 48,949 arrivals were from Japan, reflecting a 5.5% increase.
Meanwhile, economic ties between the two countries continue to strengthen. Bilateral trade between Cambodia and Japan reached $1.02 billion during the same five-month period, up 28% from the previous year. Cambodian exports totalled $635.22 million, a rise of 19.2%, while imports from Japan surged by 45.6% to $389 million.
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The new air link by Air Cambodia is expected to support further growth in both tourism and commerce, strengthening the strategic partnership between Cambodia and Japan.
