Cambodia Aviation Passenger Numbers Reach Historic High

Cambodia aviation sector recorded a new milestone as total air passenger traffic reached 6.33 million during the first 11 months of this year, marking a 13 percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to a report released by the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation. The strong performance highlights Cambodia growing appeal as a regional and international travel destination, supported by steady recovery in tourism demand and increased flight availability across the country three international airports. During the January to November period, these airports handled 58,792 flight movements, reflecting a 10 percent year on year increase and signaling renewed confidence among airlines and travelers alike.

Expanding Air Connectivity Drives Passenger Growth

SSCA Secretary of State and Spokesman Sinn Chanserey Vutha attributed the surge in passenger numbers to the easing of travel restrictions and the continuous expansion of air connectivity. Speaking to Khmer Times, he said, “This significant increase reflects the country’s growing popularity as a tourist destination and the expansion of its air connectivity.” He emphasized that coordinated efforts between the SSCA and relevant ministries have played a central role in strengthening Cambodia position within regional and global aviation networks, making travel more accessible and efficient for international visitors.

Open Sky Policy Attracts New Airlines

According to Vutha, Cambodia long standing Open Sky policy remains a critical driver behind the aviation sector expansion. He noted, “This is a result of the Open Sky policy, which has attracted new international airlines and enhanced global connectivity.” The policy has enabled more foreign carriers to operate routes to and from Cambodia, increasing competition and route diversity while improving passenger choice. Currently, domestic and international airlines operate from Cambodia three international airports, with direct flights connecting the Kingdom to eight ASEAN countries as well as China, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, India, Japan, Qatar, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.

Economic and Tourism Benefits of Aviation Growth

Chhay Sivlin, President of the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents, highlighted the wider economic implications of the aviation sector expansion, stressing its direct contribution to tourism and national development. He said, “The air connectivity plays an important role in boosting tourism, through enhancing passengers and tourists’ convenience travel, connecting more major destinations to Cambodia.” Improved air links not only support tourism growth but also strengthen trade flows, business travel, and people to people connections, reinforcing aviation role as a pillar of socio economic progress.

Passenger Outlook Remains Strong Despite Cargo Decline

While passenger numbers surged, the SSCA report noted that air cargo volumes declined by 8 percent to 84,475 tonnes compared to the same period last year. Despite this, the overall outlook for passenger traffic remains positive. Based on current trends, SSCA estimates that total air passengers could reach 6.9 million by the end of the year, reflecting continued recovery and expansion across the aviation and tourism sectors.

Long Term Impact of Aviation on Cambodia Development

Since the introduction of the Open Sky policy in 1999, air transport has played a vital role in Cambodia integration with the global economy. Aviation has facilitated tourism growth, business expansion, trade development, and socio cultural exchange, while contributing to national revenue and employment. The latest passenger record underscores the sector importance as a catalyst for sustainable economic growth and international engagement.

Conclusion

The record 6.33 million air passengers recorded in the first 11 months of the year demonstrates Cambodia strong recovery momentum and growing competitiveness as a regional aviation hub. With expanding air connectivity, supportive policies, and rising global interest in the Kingdom as a destination, Cambodia aviation sector is well positioned to continue driving tourism, trade, and long term socio economic development.

CTB and Trip.com Agree to Pause Advertising Collaboration

The Cambodia Tourism Board and Trip.com have mutually decided to suspend their planned tourism advertising activities across Trip.com Group affiliated platforms until a more appropriate time, according to an official statement released by CTB on Friday. The cooperation was narrowly defined and focused exclusively on tourism promotion, scheduled to run from September 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026. This initiative formed part of Cambodia contribution to the Cambodia China Tourism Year, a joint designation announced by leaders of both countries on April 17, 2025. Authorities have stressed that this pause should be understood as a timing adjustment rather than a policy shift, with Cambodia continuing to be prominently featured on Trip.com platforms where Chinese travelers actively explore Cambodian destinations.

Promotional Scope and Data Protection Assurance

CTB underscored that the agreement with Trip.com was strictly promotional and carried no involvement in personal data handling. The board provided a clear assurance in its statement, saying, “CTB confirms that, under this agreement or any other form of cooperation, it has not requested, received, accessed, stored, processed, or shared any personal data relating to tourists.” This clarification reinforces CTB commitment to responsible and transparent tourism promotion while safeguarding traveler privacy. The board reiterated its broader mission to present Cambodia as a safe, secure, and welcoming destination for international visitors.

Industry Perspective on a Routine Business Adjustment

Tourism industry insiders have played down concerns surrounding the suspension, framing it as a normal business practice rather than a signal of weakened ties with the Chinese market. A stakeholder who requested anonymity explained, “Advertising deals are frequently reviewed and changes are made,” adding, “It’s a separate affair, and tourism, mainly from China, will continue to come to the Kingdom using Trip.com platforms.” This perspective highlights that digital travel platforms remain a key channel for Chinese tourists planning trips to Cambodia, regardless of short term promotional adjustments.

Chinese Tourism as a Pillar of Economic Recovery

Chinese visitors continue to be central to Cambodia tourism recovery and long term growth strategy, particularly in the post Covid 19 landscape. Their return has been widely viewed as essential for reviving economic activity, sustaining jobs, and generating income across hotels, restaurants, retail outlets, and local service providers. In 2025, China ranked as Cambodia second largest source of international visitors after Vietnam. During the first eleven months of the year, more than 1.1 million Chinese tourists arrived in the Kingdom, reflecting a 43.5 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024 and accounting for roughly 21 percent of total international arrivals.

Momentum Toward Pre Pandemic Levels and Future Targets

The latest figures indicate a steady recovery toward pre pandemic tourism levels. In 2019, China was Cambodia largest source market, contributing around 2.3 million visitors or nearly one third of all international arrivals. To build on renewed momentum, Cambodia has designated 2025 as the Cambodia China Tourism Year, setting an ambitious goal of attracting more than two million Chinese tourists. The Royal Government has introduced supportive measures including improved hospitality services, targeted marketing initiatives, and visitor friendly policies such as permitting the use of the Chinese renminbi in tourism related businesses.

Conclusion

Despite the temporary suspension of the advertising campaign with Trip.com, confidence remains strong among officials and industry stakeholders that Cambodia appeal to Chinese travelers will continue to grow. The pause reflects a strategic recalibration rather than a retreat, with solid fundamentals underpinning tourism demand from China. Supported by government initiatives, private sector readiness, and sustained interest from Chinese travelers, Cambodia tourism sector is well positioned to strengthen its recovery and advance toward its long term growth objectives.

Cambodia Issues Travel Advisory Urging Passengers to Avoid Thai Airlines

Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a strong advisory urging travellers bound for the Kingdom to temporarily avoid booking Thai airlines or transiting through Thailand, following multiple reports of what authorities described as “excessive” and “unacceptable” checks imposed on passengers, particularly Europeans, during transit. The warning comes amid growing concern that such procedures are creating unnecessary disruption and anxiety for travellers, even before they reach Cambodian soil.

Reports of Excessive Checks and Passenger Disruptions

According to an advisory released by the Cambodian Embassy in Dili, Timor Leste, European passengers transiting through Thailand reported being subjected to prolonged interrogations prior to boarding connecting flights to Cambodia. These travellers were allegedly asked to provide unreasonable proof of financial resources and detailed confirmation of accommodation arrangements in Cambodia, despite having valid travel documents. In some cases, the checks escalated beyond questioning, with travellers reporting issues related to searches and baggage handling.

Baggage Handling Concerns Raise Alarm

The advisory further highlighted that some of these transit checks were followed by baggage related incidents, with checked luggage reportedly going missing and only discovered upon arrival in Phnom Penh. As stated in the advisory, “In certain cases, these controls have been followed by incidents related to searches and baggage handling, resulting notably in the loss of checked luggage, which has been observed upon arrival in Phnom Penh, Cambodia,” raising further concern about the reliability and fairness of the transit process.

Embassy Recommends Alternative Routes and Airlines

In response to these developments, the Cambodian embassy urged travellers to take precautionary measures by selecting flight itineraries that do not involve transit through Thailand. Travellers were advised to opt for alternative airlines that provide more direct or neutral routes into Cambodia. The advisory underscored that these incidents occur entirely outside Cambodian territory and stressed that “Cambodia remains a safe and welcoming destination” for all visitors.

Clarifying Responsibility and Protecting Traveller Experience

The embassy also made clear that such situations do not fall under the jurisdiction of Cambodian authorities, noting that “Do not fall under the responsibility of the Cambodian authorities; however, they may adversely affect your trip.” This clarification aims to reassure travellers while also emphasizing the importance of informed travel planning to avoid disruptions that could undermine their overall travel experience.

Foreign Ministry Expands Advisory Worldwide

Following these revelations, Cambodia’s Foreign Ministry instructed its diplomatic missions worldwide to inform both Cambodian citizens and foreign travellers of the advisory. The ministry called for travellers to avoid transiting through Thailand and to temporarily suspend the use of Thai Airways services when planning trips to Cambodia, signaling a coordinated and proactive response to protect travellers’ interests.

Conclusion

Cambodia’s advisory reflects a broader effort to safeguard the travel experience of visitors and ensure smooth access to the country amid growing tourism recovery. By encouraging travellers to choose alternative routes and airlines, Cambodian authorities are reaffirming their commitment to hospitality, transparency, and traveller confidence, while clearly distancing the Kingdom from transit issues occurring beyond its borders.

Thailand Clarifies Legal Status of Cambodian Migrant Workers

Thailand has officially moved to calm growing anxiety among Cambodian migrant workers by confirming that recently renewed work permits remain valid well beyond what had been widely rumored online. On December 23, Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour of Thailand, issued a public clarification through an official statement posted on the Department of Employment’s Facebook page. The announcement directly addressed widespread misinformation suggesting that Cambodian workers would be forced to leave Thailand in early 2026, reaffirming instead that those covered by the latest permit extensions are legally allowed to remain and work in the country until February 2027, with opportunities for further extensions.

Misinformation Sparks Fear Among Migrant Communities

The clarification followed a wave of online reports and social media posts claiming that Cambodian migrant workers would be required to return home on February 13 next year due to non renewal of work permits. These claims quickly spread fear across Cambodian communities in Thailand, where many workers depend on stable employment to support families both locally and back home. Concerns ranged from job losses and income disruption to forced repatriation, highlighting how sensitive and impactful migrant labor policies can be when communication is unclear or inconsistent.

Overlapping Cabinet Resolutions Create Confusion

According to Thai media, the Labour Minister explained that the confusion stemmed from misinterpretations of overlapping cabinet resolutions governing foreign labor. She stressed that an earlier cabinet resolution dated February 4, 2025 applied specifically to Lao and Vietnamese nationals and not to Cambodian workers, whose status was clarified in later decisions. The minister stated, “Only Lao and Vietnamese nationals were originally permitted to work until February 13, 2026, under the cabinet resolution dated February 4, 2025.” This distinction was overlooked in online discussions, leading to incorrect assumptions about Cambodian migrants.

Extended Permits Confirmed Until 2027 and Beyond

The Labour Minister further clarified that policy updates had already addressed the situation for Cambodian nationals. She said, “However, a later cabinet resolution on December 2, 2025, granted these foreign workers (Cambodians) an additional one year extension, allowing them to stay and work in Thailand until February 13, 2027.” She also added, “For Cambodian nationals, those with irregular legal status under the cabinet resolution of September 24, 2024, are permitted to work until March 31, next year.” Importantly, Cambodian migrants whose work permits were renewed under the September 24, 2024 and February 4, 2025 resolutions may also qualify for further renewals of up to two additional years, potentially extending legal employment until 2029. She firmly concluded, “Therefore, there are no Cambodian workers whose work permits expire on February 13, 2026.”

Authorities Urge Reliance on Official Information

Somchai Morakotsriwan, Director General of the Department of Employment of Thailand, emphasized that the ministry is working closely with security agencies to manage migrant labor in a way that balances economic demand, social stability, and national security. He urged employers, businesses, and workers to rely solely on official communication channels such as the Department of Employment website, provincial employment offices, and the Ministry of Labour hotline at 1506 press 2. This approach, he noted, is essential to prevent unnecessary panic and disruption within key industries.

Migrant Labor Remains Vital to Thailand’s Economy

Thailand has long depended on migrant workers from neighboring countries including Myanmar, Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Vietnam to address labor shortages in agriculture, construction, manufacturing, and domestic services. Any misunderstanding about work permit validity can create serious social and economic consequences, particularly in border provinces where migrant populations are highly concentrated. This sensitivity has been further underscored by recent developments.

Regional Tensions Add to Worker Uncertainty

Since border conflicts between the neighboring kingdoms escalated in July, nearly one million Cambodian workers have reportedly returned home, citing safety concerns and experiences of discrimination. Against this backdrop, clear and accurate policy communication becomes even more critical, as uncertainty can accelerate workforce instability and strain both national economies and cross border relations.

Conclusion

Thailand’s confirmation of extended work permits for Cambodian migrant workers provides much needed reassurance at a time of heightened uncertainty. By clearly outlining eligibility timelines and correcting misinformation, Thai authorities have reinforced the importance of transparent communication in managing migrant labor. For Cambodian workers and their employers, the message is clear legal employment remains secure through at least February 2027, with further extensions possible, underscoring migrant labor’s continued role in sustaining Thailand’s economic growth and regional stability.

Source: Khmer Times