Cambodia Launches New Air Route to Japan via Fuzhou, Boosting Tourism and Trade

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Oct.27, 2025) — Cambodia’s national airline inaugurated a new flight route to Japan on October 26, 2025, connecting Phnom Penh to Japanese destinations via Fuzhou, Fujian province, China. The launch marks a major milestone in Cambodia’s post-pandemic aviation recovery and its broader strategy to deepen international connectivity.

The new route is the result of coordinated efforts by the Cambodian government, the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation, and Cambodia’s national carrier. It restores direct air travel between Cambodia and Japan, which had been suspended since the COVID-19 outbreak.

Dr. Mao Havannall, Minister in charge of the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation, said the flight launch responds to growing demand in tourism, logistics, trade, and cultural exchange. He emphasized that the initiative aligns with the Cambodian government’s Pentagonal Strategy Phase I, led by Prime Minister Hun Manet, which prioritizes civil aviation under its second pillar of economic diversification and competitiveness.

Japan’s Ambassador to Cambodia, Ueno Atsushi, welcomed the development, calling it a strategic step toward strengthening bilateral ties. He said the route would shorten travel time and create new opportunities in tourism, business, and cultural exchange.

Over the nine-month period of 2025, a total of 33 domestic and international airlines operated flights connecting Cambodia to regional and global destinations. These included routes to eight ASEAN countries, as well as China, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, India, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

During this time, Cambodia received more than 5.1 million air travelers, representing a 14% increase compared to the same period in 2024, which saw just over 4.5 million passengers.