The under-construction Techo International Airport, on January 27. BTV News.
Cambodia is hopeful that the Japanese government and private sector will encourage the Japanese airline ANA to re-launch direct flights. Renewed services are not only expected to boost tourism, but also enhance cooperation in commerce and attract more Japanese investment to the Kingdom.
On January 27, Japanese ambassador to Cambodia Ueno Atsushi led a 120-strong Japanese delegation on an inspection tour of the Techo International Airport (TIA) construction site.
The group included representatives from 58 Japanese companies and organisations, including the Japan Business Association of Cambodia (JBAC), Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Cambodia and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Following the visit, Charles Vann, director of Cambodia Airport Investment Co., Ltd. (CAIC), told the media that the guests had expressed strong interest in the development of the new facility, and praised Cambodia’s efforts to build a 4F-class international airport which can handle the world’s largest commercial aircraft.
The delegates reiterated that they would encourage ANA to resume direct flights to Cambodia, which were suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Vann added that the Cambodian State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA), the Japanese ambassador, and Techo International Airport investors will work together to encourage additional Japanese airlines to resume flights between Japan and Cambodia.
“Based on today’s visit by the ambassador, we are very hopeful. He has also stated that efforts will be made to encourage Japanese airlines, such as ANA, to introduce direct flights to Cambodia in the near future,” he said.
During the visit, the Japanese delegation also expressed interest in investing in Cambodia's air transport sector.
Vann noted that the construction of Techo International Airport is progressing according to plan, with more than 94% of the work completed and an expenditure of approximately $1.4 billion. Phase one of the facility is expected to officially open in July of this year.
Phase one of the airport’s development will give it the capacity to accommodate 13 million passengers annually.
The SSCA reported that in 2024, the country’s air transport sector showed steady growth, with 58,354 international flights, up 14% over 2023. The number of international passengers was 6,241,842, an increase of 22%. Air cargo operations also saw a 40% increase, with 77,752 tonnes of goods transported.
It predicted that 2025 will surpass the 2024 figures.
Ho Vandy, Board Chairman of the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents (CATA), told The Post on January 31 that between 2005 and 2007, Japanese nationals were among the top foreign tourists visiting Cambodia, which led to ANA introducing direct flights.
The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in early 2020 caused a sharp decline in global travel, leading ANA to suspend the flight.
“If these direct flights resume soon, it will be very beneficial, not just for tourism, but also for business,” added Vandy.
According to official data from the Ministry of Tourism, Cambodia welcomed 6.7 million foreign tourists in 2024, a 22.9% increase compared to 2023. Japan ranked 10th, with 112,718 visitors, up 30.4%.
The General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE) reported that Cambodia’s international trade in 2024 reached a total of 54.74 billion USD, a 16.9% increase compared to 2023.
Bilateral trade between Cambodia and Japan also grew 20.1%, to $2.16 billion. Exports to Japan were worth $1.41 billion, a 19.8% increase, while imports to Cambodia were valued at $752.56 million, up 20.7%.
