Royal Air Cambodge
Cambodia · Active
Airline Identity
History
Cambodia's national air carrier traced back to 1956, operating under a series of names as the country's political system changed; it became Air Cambodge in 1970 after the Khmer Republic was established, and was reconstituted as Royal Air Cambodge in 1994 following the restoration of the monarchy and post-conflict rebuilding, with Malaysia Airlines taking a minority stake and providing management support and leased aircraft. The airline served as Cambodia's flag carrier through the 1990s, connecting Phnom Penh with regional destinations, but it never achieved financial stability and accumulated losses exceeding US$30 million. A steep decline in passenger traffic following the September 11, 2001 attacks pushed the already-struggling carrier over the edge.
Current Operations
Royal Air Cambodge does not exist as an operating airline today: it shut down completely on 16 October 2001 after failing to secure a financial rescue. Cambodia went without a state-backed flag carrier for several years until the government partnered with Vietnam Airlines in 2009 to launch Cambodia Angkor Air as the country's new national airline; no successor directly inherited Royal Air Cambodge's operating certificate or fleet.
Last verified 2026-09-03· Source: airline public disclosures, company press releases & aviation-industry reporting.