New National Air Transport Policy Targets 25 Million Passengers by 2035
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The Royal Government has officially approved the National Policy on Air Transport 2025–2035, setting an ambitious goal to handle 25 million air passengers annually by 2035. The policy was adopted during a weekly cabinet meeting held on Friday, chaired by Prime Minister Hun Manet.
Designed to strengthen and expand domestic, regional, and international connectivity, the policy focuses on building a sustainable, efficient, and resilient air transport system. According to a press release, its development incorporated extensive research and analysis of regional and global best practices, with contributions from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and other relevant stakeholders.
The State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) stated that the new policy also targets cargo transportation volumes of up to 205,000 tonnes by 2035. In the short term, the SSCA expects to serve 7.5 million air passengers and handle 80,000 tonnes of goods by 2025.
Prime Minister Hun Manet praised the SSCA and its partners for their dedicated efforts in shaping the policy. “With the implementation of this National Policy on Air Transport 2025–2035, I am confident that the aviation sector will grow rapidly. It will enhance connections between local and international destinations while contributing to sustainable development and the national economy,” he said.
The policy’s announcement aligns with rising air travel demand and ongoing improvements in airport infrastructure. In 2024, the country’s three main international airports—Phnom Penh International Airport, Siem Reap Angkor International Airport, and Sihanoukville International Airport—served a combined 6.24 million passengers, a 22 percent increase from the previous year, according to SSCA data.
Currently, these airports offer flights to 34 destinations across 12 countries, operated by 31 national and international airlines. This growing network highlights the need for strategic planning to support the sector’s continued expansion.
A major infrastructure project supporting this vision is the Techo International Airport, now under construction in Kandal and Takeo provinces. With a first-phase investment of approximately $1.5 billion, the airport is scheduled to begin official operations in July.
As the air transport sector takes flight under the new national policy, it is expected to play a crucial role in boosting connectivity, trade, tourism, and economic development over the next decade.
