Air Cambodia Launches Sihanoukville–Shenzhen Route Amid Rising Chinese Tourist Arrivals

SIHANOUKVILLE, Cambodia (Sept.26, 2025) — Air Cambodia launched its first direct flight between Sihanoukville and Shenzhen on Sept. 25, marking a new milestone in Cambodia–China connectivity under the “2025 Cambodia-China Tourism Year” initiative.

The inaugural flights were nearly full in both directions, underscoring strong demand and growing ties between the two commercial hubs. The new route fills a market gap as the only direct connection between Sihanoukville and Shenzhen, complementing existing Phnom Penh–Shenzhen and Siem Reap–Shenzhen services.

As Cambodia’s national carrier, Air Cambodia is expanding its network to meet rising business and leisure travel demand. The airline announced plans to launch a new Phnom Penh–Fuzhou–Tokyo route on Oct. 26, linking the capitals of Cambodia and Japan via Fuzhou, a key Chinese economic center.

The launch comes amid a surge in Chinese tourist arrivals. Cambodia welcomed more than 540,000 Chinese visitors in the first eight months of 2025, according to the Ministry of Tourism. Overall, the country received over 3.9 million international tourists during the same period, reflecting a strong post-pandemic recovery.

Officials say the new routes will boost regional tourism, trade, and investment, while reinforcing Cambodia’s role as a gateway to Southeast Asia.