Tourism in Cambodia is still facing difficulties.

Cambodia's tourism industry continues to face challenges as India's largest airline suspends direct flights to Siem Reap after nearly eight months of operation.

Tourists pose for photos at Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap, Cambodia, in 2023.

After nearly eight months of operation, InterGlobe Aviation Limited (IndiGo) will suspend direct flights between Siem Reap (Cambodia) and Kolkata ( India ) from the beginning of July. The airline stated that rising fuel prices and increasing operating costs are the main reasons for this decision, according to the Khmer Times .

In its announcement, IndiGo stated that the suspension of flights is part of a plan to adjust its international network in response to declining seasonal travel demand and rising operating costs. One travel agency said the Siem Reap-Kolkata route will be suspended for three months.

IndiGo, India's largest low-cost airline, launched its first direct flight to Cambodia on November 13, 2025, connecting Kolkata Airport (CCU) with Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI).

Initially, the airline operated three flights per week using Airbus A320neo aircraft. Later, the frequency was increased to six round-trip flights per week, reflecting strong demand on the Cambodia-India travel corridor, particularly from tourists and vacationers visiting the Angkor archaeological complex.

The flight route is seen as an important addition to efforts to strengthen connectivity between Cambodia and India – one of the country's key international tourist markets. The direct flight between eastern India and Siem Reap makes it more convenient for tourists and travel companies to organize trips.

Inside Cambodia's $2 billion Techo Airport terminal, recently named the world's most beautiful.

Sinn Chanserey Vutha, spokesperson for the State Secretariat for Civil Aviation of Cambodia (SSCA), said IndiGo's decision stemmed primarily from the cost pressures airlines are facing.

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"Some airlines have had to suspend operations due to high operating costs, while rising fuel prices caused by global geopolitical tensions have forced them to reassess and adjust their flight network strategies," he said.

He stressed that the suspension of flights should not be interpreted as a sign of weakening demand for Cambodia. According to him, airlines regularly adjust their flight networks based on commercial efficiency, tourism seasonality, and cost structures.

Despite the temporary suspension of the flight, Cambodian aviation officials believe the country remains an attractive destination for regional airlines as the tourism industry recovers. Authorities expressed confidence that the route can be restored once market conditions improve, given Cambodia's continued expansion of international air connectivity and its ability to attract new airlines.

Previously, Malaysia's Firefly Airlines, which launched its direct Kuala Lumpur-Siem Reap route on November 27, 2025, also suspended six round-trip flights per week from the end of February due to similar operational and market challenges faced by airlines in the region.

TOP SOURCE MARKETS FOR CAMBODIA IN THE FIRST 5 MONTHS OF 2026
Source: Cambodian Ministry of Tourism
Label		China	Vietnam	America	Older brother	France	Indonesia	Australia	Japan	Korea
Number of visitors	Number of visitors	395,946	381,062	91,021	61,247	58,371	41,906	40,412	37,589	33,594

In the first five months of the year, Cambodia welcomed approximately 1.54 million international tourists, a sharp decrease of 47.8% compared to the same period last year. The Khmer Times noted that this result reflects the challenges the industry is facing amidst regional instability and global economic pressures.

China continued to be Cambodia's largest international tourist market during this period with nearly 400,000 visitors, accounting for approximately 26% of the total international visitors. Vietnam ranked second with 381,062 visitors, equivalent to 24% of the market share. The United States ranked third with over 91,000 visitors.

In contrast to the decline in the international market, domestic tourism recorded strong growth. According to the Cambodian Ministry of Tourism, people made approximately 20 million domestic trips from January to May, a 54% increase compared to 13 million trips during the same period last year.

Tourists walk with a guide outside the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in 2020.

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Source: https://znews.vn/du-lich-campuchia-chua-het-kho-post1663157.html