Domestic and international travelers at Phnom Penh International Airport. Hin Pisei
Tourism specialists have highlighted how the launch of a new Turkish Airlines route from Istanbul, Turkiye, to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, at the end of 2025 will contribute to boosting Cambodia's tourism industry and create a more convenient travel environment for investors looking to either bring direct investments or explore business opportunities in the country.
On March 3, Turkish Airlines announced that it will commence flights from Istanbul to Phnom Penh on December 10, 2025.
With this new destination, Cambodia will become the 7th country served by the Turkish flag carrier in Southeast Asia and Phnom Penh will be the 11th city in the region.
The statement noted that the flights aim to improve trade relations between Turkiye and Cambodia and will contribute to the growing economy of the new destination.
The new route will offer Turkish Airlines' guests easier access to one of the key destinations in the region and showcase once more the unparalleled connectivity flag carrier offers as the only European carrier flying to this destination.
Scheduled for three days a week, the flights will connect via Bangkok. Flights will depart from Istanbul to Phnom Penh on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, while flights from Phnom Penh to Istanbul will be operated on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
“Here at Turkislı Airlines, we are continuously expanding our network in Asia and strengthening our connections with strategic destinations across the region. The launch of the Phnom Penh flights marks a significant step forward in this goal,” said Ahmet Bolat, chairman of the board at the airline.
“Our flights to Cambodia will create new opportunities for both tourism and business. Additionally, as the only European flag carrier flying to this destination, we will further solidify our leadership in the region,” he added.
The Ministry of Tourism reported that in 2024, the total number of Turkish nationals visiting Cambodia reached 8,363, representing a 51.7% increase compared to 2023. Of them, 6,468 were tourists, and 1,895 were businesspeople.
Sar Sarin, business director of PTM Travel & Tours and founder and CEO of Tovtrip, told The Post on March 4 that the launch of the new route would bring significant benefits to Cambodia as Turkiye has many flights connecting to various countries worldwide.
“The launch will bring both tourists and investors and help facilitate greater trade activity,” he said.
“I think this is a great starting point for bringing more tourists and investors from Turkiye, Europe and the Middle East to Cambodia. Beyond tourism, this flight connection will also boost business relations,” he added.
Chhay Sivlin, president of the Cambodian Association of Travel Agents, commented that Turkish Airlines' decision to launch the new route is excellent news for the country's tourism industry, as the airline is a large and renowned international carrier.
She explained that when an airline opens a new route, it conducts significant promotional activities to attract customers to travel to that destination. This initiative will also help promote Cambodia.
“Turkiye is a large country with a significant population and a growing economy, so we expect that through Turkish Airlines' new flights, more international tourists will travel here,” she added.
Prime Minister Hun Manet expressed his satisfaction with the increase in flight connections to the Kingdom.
He praised the expansion of air routes as an important step in welcoming more international visitors and businesspeople to Cambodia.
On March 4, he shared the news on his official social media account, highlighting that under the cooperation efforts, two new routes will open: Turkish Airlines from Istanbul to Phnom Penh by the end of 2025 and Emirates from Dubai to Siem Reap in mid-2025.
He emphasised that air transportation is a crucial element for economic-social development through the facilitation of travel and rapid cargo transportation. It boosts trade, tourism and strengthens social ties, which contribute to increasing national revenue.
According to the Civil Aviation Secretariat, Cambodia’s air transportation achieved significant growth in 2024, with a total of 6.24 million passengers transported, a 22% increase, and 58,354 flights, a 14% growth.
Additionally, air freight volumes grew by 40% compared to the same period in 2023, reaching 77,852 tonnes.
In 2025, Cambodia will be served by 31 international and domestic airlines, with an average of 1,324 weekly flights, including 942 at Phnom Penh International Airport, 346 at Siem Reap Angkor International Airport and 36 at Sihanoukville International Airport.
