Cambodia and the United Arab Emirates took a major step toward deeper connectivity and cooperation on October 3, with the launch of Etihad Airways’ first-ever direct flight between Abu Dhabi and Phnom Penh.
Officials and industry leaders hailed the new route as “a new bridge of friendship, investment, and opportunity linking Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Europe and North America”.
Presiding over the inauguration ceremony at Phnom Penh’s new Techo International Airport, Minister of Tourism Hout Hak described the milestone as “more than an air connection” — calling it a “strong bridge of friendship, cooperation and shared prosperity between the two nations”.
“The presence of this world-class airline is not only an air connection between Phnom Penh and Abu Dhabi, but also a bridge that brings Cambodia’s tourism and investment potential to the people of the United Arab Emirates and the wider Middle East,” Hak said.
The ceremony marked Etihad’s official entry into Cambodia’s aviation market, with four weekly flights operating every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
The route represents the first nonstop link between Cambodia and any Middle Eastern destination, enhancing Phnom Penh’s role as an emerging hub for regional and global travelers.
Arik De, Etihad’s chief revenue and commercial officer, called the launch “a historic moment” for both countries, highlighting that the 160-seat inaugural flight was fully booked.
“We made history by becoming the first ever nonstop link between Cambodia and anywhere in the Middle East,” he said.
“What made it even more special was the warmth of the Cambodian welcome — it’s something that truly sets this country apart,” he continued.
De praised Cambodia’s modern aviation infrastructure, noting that the new Techo International Airport “represents the peace, prosperity and progress that defines the country’s future”.
He added that Etihad chose Cambodia as the first destination for its new Airbus A321LR fleet — a symbol of confidence in the Kingdom’s growing potential.
Beyond tourism, the new route also opens a vital channel for trade.
Etihad chief cargo officer Stanislas Brun confirmed plans to expand air freight services between Phnom Penh and Abu Dhabi within days of the inaugural flight.
“We’ve already scheduled our first freighter to pick up several tonnes of goods from Phnom Penh to Abu Dhabi and beyond,” Brun said.
“Cambodia has strong export potential, and we’re committed to providing the cargo capacity to match it,” he noted.
The UAE and Cambodia established diplomatic relations in 1994, and this year marks 31 years of growing ties.
The new direct air link is expected to accelerate cooperation across tourism, investment and logistics — aligning with Cambodia’s broader efforts to diversify its visitor base and strengthen connectivity beyond traditional Asian markets.
Minister Hak noted that peace, political stability and infrastructure development under the leadership of Prime Minister Hun Manet have created the foundation for sustained growth in Cambodia’s tourism sector, which the government referred to as “green gold”.
Naeem Moosa, Sang Saa Private Island director of sales, reservations and revenue, said he is thrilled about the new Etihad direct flight from Abu Dhabi to Phnom Penh.
It’s also encouraging to see Cambodia being positioned as a standalone destination, with enhanced direct connectivity paving the way for us to grow and thrive independently,” Moosa told The Post.
From January to August 2025, Cambodia welcomed more than 4 million international visitors — including around 2,000 from Middle Eastern countries, an increase of four per cent over 2020.
The tourism ministry is currently promoting the “Green Season” campaign to attract more visitors year-round, encouraging travellers to experience Cambodia’s lush landscapes during the rainy season.
“We are fully prepared to welcome international visitors and investors through our enhanced infrastructure and our new international airport,” said the minister.
“This partnership with Etihad is a clear sign that Cambodia is ready to embrace the world,” he added.
Javier Alija, vice-president for global sales and distribution, said Etihad plans to increase to six weekly flights within the next month, with the goal of eventually offering daily services to meet demand, connecting Cambodian passengers to 18 countries across the Middle East, Europe and North America through Abu Dhabi.
“This new route reflects our confidence in Cambodia’s long-term potential,” Alija said.
“The new Techo International Airport is bold and forward-looking — and that aligns perfectly with Etihad’s own vision of building the airline for the future. Phnom Penh is just the beginning,” he continued.
Alija explained that the flight schedules are strategically designed to provide maximum connectivity through Abu Dhabi to Europe, the Gulf, and North America, reducing travel time for passengers while opening a convenient gateway for visitors and investors to Cambodia.
For Etihad, whose name means “unity” in Arabic, the Phnom Penh route embodies its mission of connecting people and cultures. For Cambodia, it is a strategic opening — a tangible symbol of how far the country has come, and how far it intends to go.
“From Abu Dhabi to Phnom Penh,” De said, “this flight is not just a route — it’s a bridge built on respect, opportunity and unity.”
