Cambodia and the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) have signed a memorandum of understanding and a purchase agreement for C909 aircraft, marking an important step in civil aviation cooperation between the two countries. The report says this is also the first time Cambodia has selected Chinese-made aircraft for operations by its national airline, Air Cambodia (K6).
The signing ceremony took place on July 17, 2026 at COMAC’s headquarters in Shanghai, China, presided over by Mao Havannall, Minister in Charge of the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation, and COMAC Chairman He Dongfeng.
The two sides signed a memorandum of understanding on strategic cooperation in civil aviation between the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation and COMAC, as well as a C909 aircraft purchase agreement between Air Cambodia (K6) and COMAC.
ស៊ីន ចាន់សិរីវុត្ថា, secretary of state and spokesperson for the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation, said the cooperation would strengthen Cambodia’s civil aviation capabilities through technology transfer, human-resource training, aircraft maintenance capacity development and technical support. It would also help Air Cambodia expand its operations, improve air connectivity and strengthen Cambodia’s regional competitiveness.
He said the signing represented a new achievement in strengthening Cambodia-China ironclad friendship, diamond cooperation and cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, particularly in civil aviation.
The State Secretariat of Civil Aviation said this was the first time in Cambodia’s history that it had selected Chinese-made C909 aircraft for its national airline. The decision would not only add a new option for developing the country’s aircraft fleet but also demonstrate confidence in China’s aircraft-manufacturing technology.
Under the plan, Air Cambodia will put a total of ten C909 aircraft into service over five years, with operations scheduled to begin in late 2026. The investment is expected to strengthen domestic and international air connectivity, improve air transport services, and promote tourism, trade and wider economic development in Cambodia.
By: Pai Sokhim
