Kingdom Moves to Join Global Aviation Treaty after U.S. Open Skies Deal, Air Arrivals Top 2 million

PHNOM PENH, July 8, 2026 (KPT) – Authorities are seeking to accede to the Cape Town Convention, a global aviation treaty designed to improve access to aircraft financing, reduce leasing costs and strengthen investor confidence in the aviation sector, officials said Wednesday.

The State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) has submitted a draft law to parliament after approval by the Council of Ministers. The convention establishes a legal framework for security interests in aircraft and engines, creating an international registry and standardized rules to protect lenders, lessors and owners.

Spokesman Sinn Chansereyvutha said accession would signal commitment to international standards, improving airlines’ access to financing and lowering leasing costs. He noted the move would particularly benefit national carrier Air Cambodia in negotiations with manufacturers such as Boeing and COMAC, as well as global leasing firms.

The initiative follows the signing of Cambodia’s first Open Skies agreement with the United States on June 30, a landmark deal granting expanded rights for passenger and cargo services and reinforcing commercial ties.

The figures from SSCA show the Kingdom welcomed nearly 2.9 million international visitors in the first five months of 2026, with more than 2 million arriving by air. Phnom Penh’s Techo International Airport handled 923,771 passengers, Siem Reap Angkor International Airport 846,267, and Sihanoukville International Airport 248,897.

Adopted in 2001 under ICAO and UNIDROIT, the Cape Town Convention entered into force in 2006. As of June 2026, 124 countries had joined, including several ASEAN members—Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore and Vietnam. Accession would further integrate the Kingdom into the global aviation financing system as the sector continues to recover and expand.

SSCA said accession to the treaty would support long‑term development of air transport, tourism and trade, further integrating the Kingdom into the global aviation financing system as the sector continues to recover and expand.