Phnom Penh — The State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) has announced a new target for Cambodia’s civil aviation sector to handle 8 million air passengers in 2026, reflecting anticipated growth in demand for air travel, tourism and trade, officials said on Friday.
At the SSCA’s recent annual planning meeting, representatives outlined the 2026 performance goals, which include boosting passenger traffic, expanding air cargo capacity and increasing overall flight movements throughout the Kingdom’s airports. The initiative comes amid efforts to further strengthen Cambodia’s connectivity with global markets and regional destinations.
Data released by the SSCA shows that the nation’s aviation industry has seen significant recovery since 2023, with nearly 7 million passengers recorded in 2025, marking continued restoration of the sector following pandemic-related downturns. Air cargo movement and flight frequencies have also shown upward trends as airlines resume services and expand routes.
Officials said the target of 8 million passengers is driven by growing tourism, business travel and cultural exchanges, with international carriers increasing connectivity to Cambodia’s main airports. The 2026 strategy also prioritizes improvements in aviation infrastructure and services to support passenger comfort and operational efficiency.
In addition to passenger volume goals, SSCA guidelines specify ambitions for cargo throughput and aircraft operations, which are expected to rise in line with global demand and regional economic activity. These targets align with broader government initiatives to foster sustainable growth in the transport and tourism sectors, which play a significant role in Cambodia’s economic framework.
Industry stakeholders say that meeting the 8 million passenger target will require cooperation among airports, airlines, tourism agencies and regulatory bodies. Continuous monitoring of market conditions, adoption of enhanced safety standards, and further development of international flight connections are seen as key factors in achieving the projected figures.
As the sector progresses toward these benchmarks, aviation authorities plan to regularly assess performance and adjust plans to ensure that Cambodia’s air transport system remains competitive and responsive to both domestic and international travel needs.
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