AKP Phnom Penh, January 13, 2026 -- H.E. Dr. Mao Havannall, Minister in Charge of the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA), accompanied by senior officials of the SSCA and Air Cambodia, paid last week an official visit to Boeing, a global aircraft manufacturer, in Seattle, USA.

During the visit, H.E Minister and the delegation visited and learned about Boeing's aircraft production chain and related infrastructure, gaining additional knowledge on production technology and innovative methods, quality control and assurance systems, and safety management systems in accordance with national and international standards, SSCA said in a statement issued on Jan. 13. 

SSCA said the visit was a significant step in strengthening and expanding cooperation between Cambodia's civil aviation sector and Boeing, particularly in supporting coordination and enhancing technical regulations, ensuring that future operations of this type of aircraft fully comply with international safety and airworthiness standards. 

The visit was made after Air Cambodia, the national flag carrier, has officially completed its order for ten Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, demonstrating strong confidence in its safety record, innovative high-tech capabilities, and economic efficiency. 

H.E. Minister highly commended the Air Cambodia-Boeing purchase agreement which will be operational in Cambodia in 2031, citing that the deployment of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in Cambodia will contribute to strengthening the vision of the Cambodian aviation sector.

“The aircraft deployment will respond to the development of international airport infrastructure and help to meet the needs of international air passengers in the Kingdom of Cambodia, with an average growth rate of 14 percent annually,” he underlined.

It will also contribute to strengthening Cambodia's aviation sovereignty and industrial capacity, expanding the connectivity of passengers and air cargo worldwide, and enhancing Cambodia's aviation reputation regionally and internationally, H.E. Dr. Mao Havannall added.

This visit marked the beginning of a new era of mutual benefit and cooperation, a win-win strategy in civil aviation, contributing to peace, prosperity, and common development under a comprehensive strategic partnership.

In the 1990s and early 2000s, Cambodia also used Boeing family aircraft, but due to economic factors and regional aviation market competition, Cambodia switched to other types of aircraft.

By Chea Vannak