AKP Phnom Penh, July 01, 2026 —

Cambodia and the United States have officially signed a historic Open Skies agreement, establishing the first bilateral air transport framework between the two nations to modernise civil aviation ties, boost commercial trade, and expand direct flight capabilities.

The landmark pact was signed on June 30 in Washington, D.C., by H.E. Dr. Mao Havannall, Cambodia’s Minister-in-Charge of the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA), and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State H.E. Christopher Landau.

According to an SSCA press release issued today, the agreement elevates the aviation relationship between the two countries to modern global standards, paving the way for more affordable, efficient, and flexible routes for both passenger travel and cargo logistics.

A key technical highlight of the agreement is the granting of "all-cargo seventh-freedom traffic rights." This specialised provision allows air carriers to operate cargo flights between the United States and a third country without being legally required to route the flight through a hub in Cambodia.

The inclusion of these rights comes at a critical strategic moment for Cambodia's aviation sector. SSCA data for the first five months of 2026 revealed a stark divergence in industry traffic: while total air passenger volume dipped 6 percent year-over-year to 2.87 million, air cargo volumes surged by 34 percent to 38,951 tonnes, reflecting a booming regional demand for logistics.

The Open Skies agreement also highlights a strengthening U.S.-Cambodia commercial relationship. It closely follows a recent US$100 million Letter of Intent approved by the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to help finance the construction of Cambodia’s new flagship Techo International Airport (KTI) in Phnom Penh.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Cambodia has actively sought to expand its international civil aviation network. The Royal Government currently hosts 35 operating airlines—including 31 international carriers—connecting Cambodia to ASEAN, East Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East.

The new framework applies to Cambodia's network of international hubs, which includes the newly developed Techo International Airport, Siem Reap Angkor International Airport, and Sihanouk International Airport. (Dara Sakor International Airport currently remains restricted to domestic flights).

By Chea Vannak