October 2, 2025
PHNOM PENH – Tourism minster Huot Hak (right) meets with Dersenish Aresandiran, representative of Malaysia Airlines, on September 30. Tourism ministry
Minister of Tourism Huot Hak has requested Malaysia Airlines and other airlines such as Firefly, both subsidiaries under the Malaysia Aviation Group, to increase the number of direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Phnom Penh, and to also establish new direct routes between Kuala Lumpur and the international airports in Siem Reap and Preah Sihanouk provinces.
Hak met with Dersenish Aresandiran, a representative of Malaysia Airlines, on the sidelines of the ASEAN Tourism Ministers’ Retreat, held on September 30, in Meleka City, Malaysia.
The minister noted that the development of Cambodia’s aviation and tourism sectors has been strongly supported by international airlines, including Malaysia Airlines, which has played a key role in bringing international visitors — particularly Malaysians — to the Kingdom. He believed that these achievements stem from the close cooperation between Cambodia and Malaysia at all levels and in all sectors, including over 68 years of diplomatic ties and especially in tourism collaboration.
The tourism ministry reported that during the first seven months of the year, Cambodia welcomed 3.71 million international tourists, a 0.8% decrease compared to the same period in 2024. Among them, 59,125 were Malaysian tourists, marking an 11% increase.
Hak expressed optimism that, with Cambodia’s current improved connectivity — such as the 4F-rated Techo International Airport, as well as the international airports in Siem Reap and Preah Sihanouk — Malaysia Airlines and other carriers under the Malaysia Aviation Group, like Firefly, would consider expanding flight operations.
“I request that Malaysia Airlines and other fleets under the Malaysia Aviation Group increase direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Phnom Penh, as well as establish new direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Siem Reap and Preah Sihanouk provinces,” said Hak.
During the meeting, the Cambodian and Malaysian sides also pledged to enhance joint efforts in marketing and promoting Cambodian tourism more widely, with the aim of attracting more Malaysian and international tourists to Cambodia.
According to the ministry, Malaysia Airlines currently operates four daily direct flights between Phnom Penh and Kuala Lumpur. As a member of oneworld Alliance, the airline offers flights to more than 900 destinations in 170 regions/cities worldwide.
In addition to Malaysia Airlines, the Malaysia Aviation Group also includes Firefly, which operates domestic flights within Malaysia and regional flights within ASEAN.
Beyond tourism, Cambodia and Malaysia also enjoy strong trade relations. In the first eight months of 2025, bilateral trade volume reached $690.02 million, a 14.5% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Exports to Malaysia totalled $88.33 million, up 1.5%, while imports reached $601.69 million, a 16.7% increase, according to the General Department of Customs and Excise of Cambodia.