Cambodia's 2026 air traffic shows weaker passenger demand and stronger cargo

More flights did not translate into more passengers

The State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) reported on May 15 that Cambodia handled 2.4 million air passengers from January through April 2026. Passenger traffic was down 4% from the same period in 2025, even as flight movements increased 2% to 23,204.

Air cargo followed a very different path. Airports handled 30,448 tonnes during the four-month period, up 36% year on year. The May report also put the number of airlines serving Cambodia at 33, including 29 international and four domestic carriers.

For residents who travel regularly, the national totals are useful context but not a timetable. A small rise in flight movements does not establish that a particular route has become more frequent or cheaper, and the passenger decline does not show what happened on any individual city pair.

For practical context, see Cambodia market and country comparisons. This development also connects with Siem Reap airport traffic rises as old-airport plan emerges.

Later data showed passenger weakness persisted

By the first eight months of 2026, the SSCA reported 4.16 million international air passengers, down 10% year on year. Flight movements were much closer to the previous year's level, falling 1% to 42,189, while air cargo remained higher at 66,559 tonnes, a 17% increase.

That later snapshot reinforces the separation between passenger travel and freight activity. Companies that depend on fast cross-border logistics may see the cargo figures as relevant operating context, while someone assessing a move or property purchase should avoid turning nationwide aviation data into a forecast for housing demand, rents or prices in a particular district.