Air Cambodia has inaugurated a new Airline Operations Control Centre (AOC) at its headquarters in Phnom Penh as the national flag carrier prepares for fleet modernisation and expansion of its domestic, regional and international network.
The centre was officially inaugurated on August 24 by Mao Havannall, Minister in charge of the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) and Chairman of Air Cambodia’s Board of Directors. The facility is intended to give the airline a central point for coordinating flight operations as its fleet and route network become more complex.
Zhan David, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Air Cambodia, attended the ceremony with members of the airline’s management and representatives from relevant departments.
A central hub for airline operations
According to SSCA Secretary of State and spokesperson Sinn Chanserey Vutha, the new AOC brings several operational functions together under one centralised system.
These include real time flight dispatch and monitoring, aircraft and crew coordination, maintenance support, ground operations and passenger service coordination. Bringing these activities together is expected to help Air Cambodia manage disruptions more effectively while improving operational safety, efficiency and reliability.
The facility therefore represents more than a new workplace for the airline. It is intended to provide the operational infrastructure needed to manage a larger and more diverse flight network.
Preparing for a larger and more diverse fleet
The new control centre comes as Air Cambodia advances plans to modernise and diversify its aircraft fleet.
The airline’s Boeing acquisition plan is intended to support future network growth and greater international connectivity. According to the plans outlined by the airline, Boeing 737 MAX aircraft are expected to provide interim capacity from 2029, while the entry into service of the planned Boeing aircraft programme is targeted from 2031, subject to implementation and delivery schedules.
Air Cambodia is also planning to introduce COMAC C909 regional aircraft for domestic and short haul regional services. The current programme provides for up to 20 aircraft, with initial deliveries expected to begin in 2026, subject to agreed delivery schedules.
For an airline expanding its fleet, the ability to coordinate aircraft, crews, maintenance, airport services and passenger handling becomes increasingly important. The AOC is designed to provide that coordination as Air Cambodia moves into its next stage of growth.
Expanding domestic connections and improving transfers
Fleet growth is being accompanied by efforts to strengthen Air Cambodia’s domestic network.
The airline is working to improve passenger convenience and scheduling flexibility on routes linking Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville. These connections are important to domestic travel while also supporting passengers moving between Cambodia’s main destinations.
Air Cambodia is also working with Siem Reap Angkor International Airport, relevant authorities and service providers to improve transfer procedures. The work includes areas such as immigration, security, baggage handling and other passenger facilitation measures.
The aim is to make connections between domestic and international services more efficient, particularly as the airline develops a broader network.
A step in Cambodia’s aviation development
Mao Havannall highlighted Air Cambodia’s continuing transformation and its role in Cambodia’s connectivity, tourism, trade and wider aviation sector.
For the airline, the new AOC provides an operational foundation for its planned fleet and network expansion. The centre also reflects the increasing importance of coordinated aviation systems as Cambodia seeks to strengthen links between its cities and connect more effectively with regional and international markets.
Air Cambodia’s next phase will depend not only on new aircraft, but also on the systems, personnel and airport coordination required to operate them effectively. The new control centre is intended to support those needs by bringing key operational functions together.
What the new control centre means for Air Cambodia?
The central question is how Air Cambodia can manage a larger fleet and expanding network safely and efficiently. The new AOC is part of the answer.
By combining flight monitoring, aircraft and crew coordination, maintenance support, ground operations and passenger service coordination, the facility gives the airline a central operational platform for its planned growth. Continued investment in aircraft, people, systems and airport coordination will determine how effectively that platform supports the airline’s expansion.
For Cambodia, the significance extends beyond the airline itself. Stronger operational capacity at the national carrier can support greater domestic connectivity and help the country develop stronger air links with regional and international markets.