The United States and Cambodia have signed their first bilateral Air Transport Agreement, establishing a framework to expand aviation cooperation and bring the relationship in line with U.S. Open Skies principles.
The agreement was signed on Wednesday by Christopher Landau and Mao Havannall.
Under the agreement, Cambodia becomes one of nearly 140 U.S. Open Skies partners, expanding opportunities for airlines to operate international passenger and cargo services. Pending the agreement’s entry into force, aviation authorities from both countries intend to permit operations consistent with its terms on the basis of comity and reciprocity.
The U.S. State Department said Open Skies agreements are intended to provide travelers and freight operators with more affordable, convenient, and efficient air services while promoting tourism, trade, and economic ties.
The agreement also grants seventh freedom traffic rights for all cargo operations, allowing U.S. cargo airlines to operate flights between Cambodia and third countries without requiring an operational connection to the United States.
The announcement follows recent approval by the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation to support Cambodia’s new Techo International Airport, a move the U.S. government said reflects the growing commercial relationship between the two countries.
The State Department said the agreement is intended to strengthen economic and commercial ties, expand opportunities for airlines and cargo operators, and support increased travel and trade between the United States and Cambodia.
