Experts are optimistic that the number of foreign tourists — especially from India — traveling to Siem Reap will significantly increase as IndiGo, India’s largest airline, launches direct flights between Kolkata, India, and Siem Reap Angkor International Airport from tomorrow, November 13.
According to the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA), IndiGo flight 6E will see an Airbus A329neo travel directly three times a week, on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
An inauguration ceremony will be held at Siem Reap Angkor International Airport tomorrow. In attendance will be Chea Aun, Secretary of State for the SSCA; representatives from the Ministry of Tourism; Pieter Elbers, CEO of IndiGo; officials from CAIC, the airport investment company; and other distinguished guests.
Sinn Chanserey Vutha, SSCA spokesperson, told The Post that the new route is a “fresh achievement” under the leadership of the Cambodian government, reflecting joint efforts by relevant ministries and the close diplomatic relationship between Cambodia and India.
“This new route not only enhances air connectivity between Kolkata and Siem Reap, but also makes travel from other regions of India to Cambodia more convenient,” he said.
“We believe this new service will help boost tourism, open new opportunities for cultural exchange and economic cooperation between the two nations and further expand Cambodia’s aviation network. It will strengthen diplomatic ties between Cambodia and India, generate more economic flow to Siem Reap’s heritage sector and align with broader ASEAN–India air connectivity and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) framework to promote regional transport, tourism, trade and mobility,” he added.
Tourism minister Huot Hak also described IndiGo’s new Siem Reap route as a milestone in the government’s tourism development efforts.
Thourn Sinan, chairman of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Cambodia Chapter, said that currently, Cambodia–India flights only operate via Phnom Penh International Airport, so having a direct connection to Siem Reap Angkor International Airport is “very positive”.
“Direct flights will bring many benefits to both countries. Since Siem Reap is a historical tourism hub with ancient temples closely related to India’s religious and cultural heritage, this new flight will certainly encourage more Indian tourists to visit Cambodia,” he told The Post.
“This is something we’ve been waiting and hoping for a long time. IndiGo’s direct flights to Siem Reap will create many positive impacts, especially for Cambodia’s tourism sector,” he added.
Pieter Elbers, IndiGo CEO, recently noted that the new direct route to Cambodia will strengthen connectivity and cultural exchange while globally promoting Siem Reap as a destination. Indian travellers, he added, will benefit from Cambodia’s visa-on-arrival and e-visa options, making travel even easier.
According to Chanserey Vutha, IndiGo had previously planned to launch direct flights from New Delhi and Mumbai to Siem Reap twice before, but due to global economic challenges and low travel demand, their plans were postponed until now.
Currently, Air Cambodia, the national airline, operates two weekly direct flights between Phnom Penh and New Delhi.
The Ministry of Tourism reported that in the first nine months of the year, Cambodia welcomed 49,293 Indian guests, a 10.8% decrease compared to the same period in 2024. In 2024, Cambodia received 77,632 Indian arrivals, up 12.8% compared to 2023.
