Phnom Penh — Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, marked a significant milestone in Cambodia by launching its inaugural service to Siem Reap, the gateway to the famed Angkor Wat temple complex. The maiden flight, operated by a Boeing 777-300ER, touched down at Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI) on Tuesday and was welcomed with a traditional water cannon salute and a high-level reception.
The event was attended by senior Cambodian dignitaries and Emirates executives. Among those present were H.E. Mao Havanall, Minister in Charge of the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation; H.E. Mohammed Nossry Katoeu, Secretary of State, Ministry of Tourism; H.E. So Sreymech, Secretary of State, Ministry of Commerce; H.E. Ngouv Sengkak, Deputy Governor of Siem Reap; Jaber AlShehhi, Head of Economic Affairs at the UAE Embassy (Thailand and Cambodia); and Neak Oknha Sear Rithy, Chairman of WorldBridge International Group.
Representing Emirates were Nabil Sultan, Executive Vice President for Passenger Sales and Country Management; Orhan Abbas, Senior Vice President for Commercial Operations in the Far East; Abdulla Alkhallafi, Vice President for Cargo Commercial in the Far East and Australasia; and Mohammed Al Qassim, Emirates’ Country Manager for Cambodia.
Deepening Economic and Tourism Ties
H.E. Mao Havanall hailed the new route as a strategic development in Cambodia’s aviation landscape. “With the UAE being an increasingly important market for Cambodia, Emirates’ expansion supports both tourism and trade. This service strengthens our bilateral relationship and fosters economic growth.”
Nabil Sultan echoed this sentiment, noting that Emirates’ decision to add Siem Reap as its second Cambodian destination highlights the Kingdom’s growing importance within Southeast Asia. “Just a year ago, we resumed our Phnom Penh operations. Today, with the launch of flights to Siem Reap, we further underline our commitment to the region. Cambodia’s rich heritage and emerging economy make it a natural part of our growth strategy.”
He also thanked the Cambodian government, airport authorities, and tourism bodies for their cooperation, expressing confidence that the new route would boost tourism and business links between Cambodia and the UAE, particularly under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
Strengthening Connectivity and Accessibility
Mohammed Al Qassim emphasized Emirates’ alignment with Cambodia’s national development goals. “Cambodia has shown strong dedication to enhancing tourism and trade. Emirates is proud to support this vision by offering greater international air connectivity. Our Dubai–Singapore–Phnom Penh route has performed exceptionally well, and this expansion to Siem Reap is a timely step forward.”
The new service offers convenient access for international visitors to one of Southeast Asia’s most iconic cultural sites. Operating three times a week—on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays—Emirates flight EK370 departs Dubai at 09:00 and arrives in Bangkok at 18:25. After a brief layover, it continues to Siem Reap at 20:10, arriving at 21:30 local time.
The return leg, EK371, departs Siem Reap at 23:50, lands in Bangkok at 01:10, and departs again at 03:40 for Dubai, where it arrives at 06:50 the following morning. These schedules are carefully designed to offer smooth connections for travelers from major European markets, including the UK, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal, and Russia.
Emirates in Cambodia: A Growing Presence
With this latest addition, Emirates now operates 10 weekly flights to Cambodia across two gateways: Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. The Phnom Penh service, which resumed in May 2024, runs daily via Singapore. The new Siem Reap route adds further frequency and flexibility for both leisure and business travellers.
Both routes are served by the airline’s flagship Boeing 777-300ER aircraft in a three-class configuration. Passengers can enjoy Emirates’ signature hospitality with 8 luxurious First Class suites, 42 fully flat Business Class seats, and 304 comfortable Economy seats. Onboard offerings include regionally inspired multicourse meals, complimentary beverages, and access to over 6,500 channels of entertainment on Emirates’ award-winning ice system.
Looking Ahead
Emirates’ expansion into Siem Reap underscores the airline’s confidence in Cambodia’s tourism potential and its role as a vital link between Southeast Asia and the rest of the world. As Cambodia accelerates efforts to promote high-value tourism and diversify its export base, enhanced connectivity through global carriers like Emirates will be key to unlocking new economic opportunities.
The launch of this new route not only affirms the strength of Cambodia–UAE ties but also positions Siem Reap as an increasingly accessible destination for international travellers seeking cultural enrichment and commercial engagement.
