Dubai-based aviation company explores direct air links with Cambodia

Hadid International Services (HADID), a Dubai-based international aviation services company, has expressed its intention to work with Cambodia's Ministry of Tourism to promote the Kingdom's tourism potential to global markets. The company is also considering launching flights to Cambodia. The proposal was presented by HADID regional director Aida Ismail during a July 29 meeting with tourism minister Huot Hak.

Ismail outlined the history and operations of Hadid Aviation, a leading international aviation support services provider, and presented the company's plans to help promote Cambodia as a tourism destination through its global network of partners, international promotional events, worldwide media campaigns, and by exploring opportunities to expand aviation services in Cambodia, including jet charter and medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) services.

She explained that HADID is headquartered in Dubai, UAE, and has more than 40 years of experience providing international aviation support services across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, among other regions. She noted that the company is considering publishing promotional materials about Cambodia and translating them into 30 to 50 languages to introduce the country's tourism attractions to a broader international audience.

Hak welcomed the company's interest and praised the idea of strengthening Cambodia's tourism industry and improving air connectivity between the Middle East and both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. He encouraged HADID to explore organising familiarisation (FAM) trips aimed at attracting tourists and investors from the UAE and the wider Middle East, while studying the feasibility of launching direct scheduled flights or additional private aviation services, particularly to Siem Reap, as well as promoting VIP tourism and business aviation.

He requested that the company use its promotional platforms — including showrooms, social media channels, and in-flight entertainment systems — to showcase videos and content highlighting Cambodia's tourism attractions in support of the government's "Visit Cambodia in the Green Season" campaign, while also promoting Cambodia as a welcoming destination for Muslim travellers. The ministry noted that 2026 marks the 32nd anniversary of diplomatic relations between Cambodia and the UAE, providing a strong foundation for expanding cooperation in tourism and aviation. Cambodia welcomed approximately 5.6 million international visitors in 2025. During the first five months of 2026, the country greeted about 1.5 million foreign tourists, including roughly 1,200 visitors from the Middle East, highlighting the region's growing tourism potential.